Embracing the Fear of God

The fear of the Lord is His treasure!

This week we will be looking at the Fear of God and how different it is from the spirit of fear that is sewn in our minds by Satan.

Let’s start our study with a scripture from the Old Testament. This is a verse that you don’t often, if ever, hear quoted or preached on in sermons and teachings from the pulpit, at least in my experience, but one that is an absolute treasure for us as born-again Christians. You will see why I say this when you read the verse!

Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure*.
(*NIV footnote: Or ‘is a treasure from him’)

In this short verse God is revealing to us the spiritual treasures we have in Him when we embrace the reverent ‘fear’ of Him.

• He will be a sure foundation for all times (Heb 13:8 He is the same yesterday, today and always). God’s Word is a living Word and is always relevant.

• He will be a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge.

And the key to this treasure trove that God has for us today and always, is ‘the fear of the Lord’ and when we have this kind of reverent fear for God, we have free access to all the treasures that He has for us! The fear of the Lord is our freedom in Christ Jesus!

• Salvation in Christ Jesus.

• Wisdom and knowledge through the power of the Holy Spirit.

• The sure foundation upon which we build our lives when we live in Him, He is our stability and security – live life in the Spirit (Rom 8).

1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV)

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

What is the fear of the Lord?

If it is not the spirit of fear that Paul talks about in 2 Tim 1:7! What kind of fear is it?

To start off let’s take a look at the Hebrew word for fear in the above scripture from Isaiah 33:6.

The Hebrew word is ‘yirah’ (pron: yir-aw – Strong’s 3373) and its expanded meaning is: a morally reverent fear. It is a fear that inspires awe and aspiration and is not a destructive, cowardly and controlling fear. It is a fear that all Christians should have for their creator and the author of their salvation.

It is a reverent fear that we need to hold on to tooth and nail. It is a fear that will prevent us from doing evil and ensure us being obedient to His Word in all things because we don’t want to disobey our Father in Heaven. He is an awesome God, and His love endures forever!

Now in stark contrast if we look at the Greek word for fear used in 2 Tim 1:7 which is ‘deilia’ (pron: di-lee-ah – Strong’s 1167) we see that its expanded meaning is: timidity, cowardice, reticence, inhibited and fear – all of which have a negative and destructive connotation and is from the Devil and has nothing to do with the reverent fear of God!

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Now, dear Readers, when the writers of the New Testament were addressing the Church of the day and of course today, when they were talking about the fear of God they used the Greek word 'phobeo' (pronounced 'fob-eh-o' Strong's 5399) and has the expanded meaning of: to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference and reverential obedience. 

For example in Luke 1:50 which is a verse from Mary's (the mother of Jesus) song of praise to God! Mary is talking (or singing) about the awesome and reverent fear of God that brings the blessings of God on His people and in the case of Mary, on her as being chosen to be the mother of Jesus the man!

Luke 1:50 (NIV)

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

    from generation to generation.

'Phobeo' is the same word that Mark uses in Mark 6:20 when he is talking about the 'fear' that Herod had for John the Baptist because he knew that John was a righteous and Holy man!

Mark 6:20 (NIV)

because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

It is also used in Luke 18:2 where the Lord is telling the parable of the persistent widow and about the judge that had neither regard or reverence for God nor man!

Luke 18:2 (NIV)

 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.

Unfortunately, in this day and age this reverent fear of the Lord is sadly lacking in the Church. I am not pointing fingers or being judgmental as I am talking to myself as well! The Church often forgets that we have a standard to live by and that standard is His Word. Our creator’s manual for a Christian’s daily living.

Instead, the Church chases after money - prosperity preachers. Church leadership have become people pleasers rather than God pleasers! The Pastors the rarely preach about the wages of sin leads to death. 

They are more interested in the numbers growth of their congregations rather that the individual spiritual growth of their flock. They are the false teachers and prophets that we are warned against. Those that manipulate the teachings of the Bible to tickle the ears of people! Those that ignore and neglect Biblical discipline in their congregation in fear of man instead of bringing Biblical correction in the awesome and reverent fear of God!

But just examine yourself closely and look around you at the things that happen in today’s Church and you will see that not many people in the modern Church today really understand what the fear of God is because of the things they should do but don’t and the things they do but shouldn’t! Even though our sin as Christians is covered by the blood of Jesus, we still have an obligation to be obedient to His Word in every way. If we don’t, how can we be an effective witness to the world!

Tragically today the things of God within the Church, for many ‘Church goers, take a poor second place to the things of the world. There is no real evidence today, generally speaking, that the Church as a whole puts the things of God in first place as they should do according to scripture, both individually and corporately. Some get it right, but most don’t! 

Where is that reverent fear of God in today's Church and today's believer?

Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Right now, some of you who are reading this article will be saying to yourselves that’s all very well, but the fear of God is an Old Testament thing and for those living under the Law. Well, if that’s you, then I am pleased to tell that you are wrong and I’m going to let scripture prove it.

The reverent, loving fear of the Lord is forever!

Psalm 19:9 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

And if you read verse 10 in Psalm 19, you will see that the decrees (instructions of His Word) of the Lord are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Yummy for our spiritual tummy!

Psalm 19:10 (NIV)

They are more precious than gold,

    than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

    than honey from the honeycomb.

The fear of the Lord should be with us every day!

Proverbs 23:17 (AMP)
Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation],
But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day.

The fear of the Lord should make us tremble at His awesome glory, power and majesty!

Psalm 114:7 (NIV)

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,

    at the presence of the God of Jacob

The fear of the Lord forms part of our worship of Him as his children!

As Christians, how do we cultivate the reverent fear of God in our lives?

1. By going to him and listening to Him and being obedient to His Word – the Bible. Keep your lips and tongue from speaking evil and from lying:

Psalm 34:11-13 (NIV)
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].
12 Who is the man who desires life
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.

2. By choosing to fear God we gain wisdom and knowledge. Fools (those that are morally deficient) choose not to fear God and their path leads to spiritual death:

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

3. By being humble and not associating with evil in any way. This brings good health and nourishment to our bodies.

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NIV)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Do not be tied in or affiliated to what unbelievers do for bad company corrupts good character.

2 Corinthians 1:14 (NIV)
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[

How do we benefit by fearing God?

God always gives us so much more than we can ever imagine. By His marvelous love, grace and mercy we always receive what we don’t deserve!

1. We gain wisdom and understanding.

Job 28:28 (NIV)
And he said to the human race,
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”

2. God will teach us the way we should go – he will show us the path He has set for us, the path of His will.

Psalm 25:12 (AMP)
Who is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder]?
He will teach him [through His word] in the way he should choose.

Let us imitate Jesus, let us be conformed to His image and let the Father's will be done in our lives always, being led by the Holy Spirit to bring glory to Jesus!

Luke 22:42 (NIV)

 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

3. God will teach us the secret of having a deep, personal relationship with Him and with others. The fear of the Lord gives us a longer life, a more meaningful life.

Psalm 25:14 (AMP)
The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.

4. The fear of God cements all our relationships with each other.

Ephesians 5:21 (KJV)
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

5. The fear of God gives us a longer life.

Proverbs 10:27 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.

6. The fear of God brings security to the family and helps us to avoid sin and leads into eternal life in Christ Jesus who is the Word!

Proverbs 14:26-27 (NIV)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.

7. The fear of the Lord enables us to live a contented life and empowers us to face and overcome the troubles the world throws at us.

Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

How do we prepare ourselves to live in the fear of God? Yes, we have to be active participators as His children!

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Where do we gain wisdom and knowledge of God? By reading and studying His Word.

Proverbs 2:1-5 (AMP)
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];
3 Yes, if you cry out for insight,
And lift up your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver
And search for her as you would hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]
And discover the knowledge of God.

Now, dear readers, what practical steps do we need to be taking as God’s children to cultivate a Christian lifestyle of fear and reverence for God?

Let’s examine what we are told from the verses in Proverbs 2 above. We need to:

1. Receive the Word and Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. How? By reading, studying, and applying the Bible to our lives. Not some of the Word but all of it. Receive and believe! Be doers of the Word and not just readers!

2. Treasure the Word within us, store it in our hearts. Hold the teachings of the Bible in highest esteem!

3. Conscientiously apply yourself to gaining wisdom and understanding from the Word and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit who will give you revelation from the Word.

4. Don’t be spiritually lazy, be fully attentive to reading and studying the Bible. Be ever passionately prayerful and lift up your voice to God and ask for wisdom and understanding.

5. If you seek these things (skillful and godly wisdom) as for silver and gold and make them your treasure, then you will come to understand the fear of the Lord and come to fully understand the knowledge of God!

The fear of God is the key to Church growth, the increase in those who are being saved!

Acts 9:31 (AMP)
So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].

My dear readers, prepare yourselves diligently in the fear of the Lord. Nobody can do this for you, not your pastor, your spouse or any other Church leader! This is something you have to do for yourself. It is your duty to walk your Christian walk if you are serious about the things of God. God is serious about you – He sacrificed His son for you! You don’t get any more serious than that!

If you want to serve God, then you have to serve him in reverent fear – no half-hearted fence sitting or laziness in seeking His fellowship!

1 Peter 1:13-19 (AMP)
13 So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. 15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.”
17 If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. 18 For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, 19 but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ.

The fear of the Lord is His treasure!

Dear reader, where is your heart and where is your treasure? When you have reverent fear for God, you are His treasure!

Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father

I pray that you would teach me your ways. Show me, Lord, how to cultivate and live my life in reverent fear of you. By you Spirit, Lord, help me to set aside the things of my flesh, the things that prevent me from walking a deeper walk with you. Help me, Lord, to glorify your name, the name of Jesus by living my life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Humble me, Lord, under your mighty hand! Father in Heaven. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

All glory, honour and praise belongs to Jesus! 

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Last update: 4 February 2023