Fear of the Lord

 Question: What is the fear of God for a believer?

 

“Fearing God has two aspects. The first is reverence. It is a sacred awe of God’s utter holiness. It involves the kind of respect and veneration that results in fear in the presence of such absolute majesty. The second aspect is fear of God’s displeasure. Genuine faith acknowledges God’s right to chasten, His right to punish, and His right to judge.” – J. MacArthur

 

“To fear the Lord is to tremble at the thought of offending him by unbelief and disobedience. It is the feeling that God is not to be trifled with…Anything that dishonors God is anathema to those who fear God.” - John Piper

 

“I have never once feared the devil, but I tremble every time I enter the pulpit.” - John Knox

 

Consider the temporal and eternal benefits the Bible says the fear of God brings:

 

1.    “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Psalm 25:14

2.    “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm34:7

3.    “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Psalm 103:13

4.    “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” Psalm 147:11

5.    “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

6.    “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days…” Proverbs 10:27

7.    “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied…” Proverbs 19:23

8.    “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:4

9.     “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19

 

“The fear of the Lord tends to take away all other fears… This is the secret of Christian courage and boldness.” - Sinclair B. Ferguson

 

“The fear of man is cast out by a greater fear, the fear of God. Nothing but the 
fear of God can cast out the fear of man.” W.T.P. Wolston

 

“For the child of God, the primary meaning of the fear of God is veneration and honor, reverence and awe. It is the attitude that elicits from our hearts adoration and love, reverence and honor. It focuses not upon the wrath of God but upon the majesty, holiness, and transcendent glory of God.” - John Murray

 

To walk in the fear of God means that He has become the single most important reference point for all that I desire, think, do, and say.

 

Sam L.