May 23rd, 2023
“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
I’ve never counted them myself, but it’s often taught that there are 365 verses in the word of God that encourage us not to be afraid—one for every day of the year! However, have you ever thought about all the scriptures that tell us we should fear. Now, the Bible doesn’t tell us we should fear things like sickness, danger, or death. In fact, there’s only one thing the Bible tells us to fear: God Himself.
Now, it’s important to understand that the fear and anxiety that plague so many are not the kind of fear the word of God is talking about. If you’re afraid of something in the conventional meaning of the word, you avoid it. However, fearing God in the Biblical sense doesn’t keep you from Him, but actually draws you closer to Him.
The fear of God comes through encounter with God. True encounter will inevitably birth a desire to be sanctified in obedience. It’s the Biblical fear of God that will keep us holy. Paul said we are to “bring holiness to completion in the fear of Him” (2 Corinthians 7:1). His holiness will always make us aware of our need for His grace. Even Isaiah said, “Woe is me, for I am unclean” when He saw the Father on His throne (Isaiah 6:5). The fear of God comes when the created humbly recognizes the Creator. As it says in Hebrews 12:28, “Our God is a consuming fire.”
The kindness of God draws men to repentance, but we have to realize He is also just. God is more merciful than we could understand, but absolutely holy. We must never err by thinking that the grace of God allows us to sin. The grace of God gives us the power to live according to His Word. Paul wrote to the Gentiles regarding this truth saying,
“They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:20-24)
He reminded them not to become arrogant but to fear. Again, that kind of fear is not the paralyzing thing that brings torment. It’s a healthy respect for the God we serve and the realization that God won’t overlook sin. His Son paid the highest price to redeem us from it and He doesn’t take it lightly!
The fear of God is demonstrated by love, devotion, and obedience to His Word. Obedience always works by love. We should desire to obey Him because we love Him, always remembering His mighty power. We will all stand before God to give an account for our lives. This knowledge should not make us timid in His presence if we are washed by the blood of Jesus. The Bible tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Sin, condemnation, and compromise will make us afraid. Only by fearing Him will we carry the boldness and authority to stand before God and men, knowing we live by His grace alone. If we try to be holy and please Him in our own merit, we will live under condemnation and with a twisted fear of judgment, rather than a healthy fear of God. There are many Christians that live in the wrong kind of fear because they’ve allowed the enemy to manipulate their understanding of God’s goodness. If you are washed in the blood of Jesus, you shouldn’t fear His punishment. When you’ve been saved by grace, you should never feel afraid to draw near to God. If you live under that kind of condemnation, His love is the only answer. John explains this perfectly, saying,
“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so we are in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:17-19)
For those living in sin, outside of God’s peace, fear is the natural and correct response. If someone has not accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, it’s actually foolish to not be afraid. However, when His children fear Him, that destroys every other fear. Jesus is the loving shepherd, but He’s also the One who commands the armies of heaven with a sword in His hand. He’s the One at who’s feet John fell as though dead because of His glory and magnificence (Revelation 1). The Father dwells in unapproachable light, so glorious man cannot even fully behold Him and live (1 Timothy 6:15-17). That’s who has promised to protect you. That’s who has made your enemies His enemies. What is there left to fear?
2. God instructs those who fear Him. (Psalm 25:12) (Proverbs 15:33)
3. The fear of the Lord brings healing to our bodies. (Proverbs 3:8)
4. The fear of the Lord prolongs life. (Proverbs 10:27) (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
5. The fear of the Lord is for our good. (1 Samuel 12:14)
6. Fearing another is idolatry and leads to destruction. (2 Kings 17:35-39)
7. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever. (Psalm 19:9)
8. God’s friendship is for those who fear Him. (Psalm 25:14)
9. God’s eye is on those who fear Him. (Psalm 33:18)
10. The Lord protects and delivers those who fear Him. (Psalm 34:7) (Proverbs 14:2)
11. God’s covenant is eternal for those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:17)
12. The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. (Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 14:27; and Proverbs 16:6)
13. The fear of the Lord gives us confidence and the promise of protection. (Proverbs 14:2)
14. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:27)
15. The reward for fearing God is riches, honor, and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
16. There’s a book of remembrance for those who fear Him. (Malachi 3:16)
17. The fear of the Lord will destroy every other fear – the fear of enemies, sickness, poverty, judgment, and death. (Psalm 27:1-3; Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:28-32; Romans 8:31-38; 2 Timothy 1:7; and 1 John 4:18)
All of those promises are ours as we fear the God of heaven. To fear Him is to respect His holiness, understanding that His power is our protection. If you are a believer and you live in daily fear and anxiety, then you haven’t been perfected in His love. As we read above, fear has to do with judgment and only intimate relationship with Him will deliver you from the torment of fear and condemnation. The Creator of the universe, the Judge of the whole earth, God Himself, is your loving Father. That truth will deliver you from every fear. You can walk in the freedom of His forgiveness and love, knowing the fear of the Lord. Love what He loves and hate what He hates. Draw near to Him in holiness and let His Spirit lead and perfect you. Fear Him and Him only, for there is no safer place in the world than the arms of the King.
I’ve never counted them myself, but it’s often taught that there are 365 verses in the word of God that encourage us not to be afraid—one for every day of the year! However, have you ever thought about all the scriptures that tell us we should fear. Now, the Bible doesn’t tell us we should fear things like sickness, danger, or death. In fact, there’s only one thing the Bible tells us to fear: God Himself.
Now, it’s important to understand that the fear and anxiety that plague so many are not the kind of fear the word of God is talking about. If you’re afraid of something in the conventional meaning of the word, you avoid it. However, fearing God in the Biblical sense doesn’t keep you from Him, but actually draws you closer to Him.
The fear of God comes through encounter with God. True encounter will inevitably birth a desire to be sanctified in obedience. It’s the Biblical fear of God that will keep us holy. Paul said we are to “bring holiness to completion in the fear of Him” (2 Corinthians 7:1). His holiness will always make us aware of our need for His grace. Even Isaiah said, “Woe is me, for I am unclean” when He saw the Father on His throne (Isaiah 6:5). The fear of God comes when the created humbly recognizes the Creator. As it says in Hebrews 12:28, “Our God is a consuming fire.”
The kindness of God draws men to repentance, but we have to realize He is also just. God is more merciful than we could understand, but absolutely holy. We must never err by thinking that the grace of God allows us to sin. The grace of God gives us the power to live according to His Word. Paul wrote to the Gentiles regarding this truth saying,
“They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:20-24)
He reminded them not to become arrogant but to fear. Again, that kind of fear is not the paralyzing thing that brings torment. It’s a healthy respect for the God we serve and the realization that God won’t overlook sin. His Son paid the highest price to redeem us from it and He doesn’t take it lightly!
The fear of God is demonstrated by love, devotion, and obedience to His Word. Obedience always works by love. We should desire to obey Him because we love Him, always remembering His mighty power. We will all stand before God to give an account for our lives. This knowledge should not make us timid in His presence if we are washed by the blood of Jesus. The Bible tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Sin, condemnation, and compromise will make us afraid. Only by fearing Him will we carry the boldness and authority to stand before God and men, knowing we live by His grace alone. If we try to be holy and please Him in our own merit, we will live under condemnation and with a twisted fear of judgment, rather than a healthy fear of God. There are many Christians that live in the wrong kind of fear because they’ve allowed the enemy to manipulate their understanding of God’s goodness. If you are washed in the blood of Jesus, you shouldn’t fear His punishment. When you’ve been saved by grace, you should never feel afraid to draw near to God. If you live under that kind of condemnation, His love is the only answer. John explains this perfectly, saying,
“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so we are in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:17-19)
For those living in sin, outside of God’s peace, fear is the natural and correct response. If someone has not accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, it’s actually foolish to not be afraid. However, when His children fear Him, that destroys every other fear. Jesus is the loving shepherd, but He’s also the One who commands the armies of heaven with a sword in His hand. He’s the One at who’s feet John fell as though dead because of His glory and magnificence (Revelation 1). The Father dwells in unapproachable light, so glorious man cannot even fully behold Him and live (1 Timothy 6:15-17). That’s who has promised to protect you. That’s who has made your enemies His enemies. What is there left to fear?
Look at some of the incredible things the Bible has to say about the fear of God:
1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) 2. God instructs those who fear Him. (Psalm 25:12) (Proverbs 15:33)
3. The fear of the Lord brings healing to our bodies. (Proverbs 3:8)
4. The fear of the Lord prolongs life. (Proverbs 10:27) (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
5. The fear of the Lord is for our good. (1 Samuel 12:14)
6. Fearing another is idolatry and leads to destruction. (2 Kings 17:35-39)
7. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever. (Psalm 19:9)
8. God’s friendship is for those who fear Him. (Psalm 25:14)
9. God’s eye is on those who fear Him. (Psalm 33:18)
10. The Lord protects and delivers those who fear Him. (Psalm 34:7) (Proverbs 14:2)
11. God’s covenant is eternal for those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:17)
12. The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. (Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 14:27; and Proverbs 16:6)
13. The fear of the Lord gives us confidence and the promise of protection. (Proverbs 14:2)
14. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:27)
15. The reward for fearing God is riches, honor, and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
16. There’s a book of remembrance for those who fear Him. (Malachi 3:16)
17. The fear of the Lord will destroy every other fear – the fear of enemies, sickness, poverty, judgment, and death. (Psalm 27:1-3; Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:28-32; Romans 8:31-38; 2 Timothy 1:7; and 1 John 4:18)
All of those promises are ours as we fear the God of heaven. To fear Him is to respect His holiness, understanding that His power is our protection. If you are a believer and you live in daily fear and anxiety, then you haven’t been perfected in His love. As we read above, fear has to do with judgment and only intimate relationship with Him will deliver you from the torment of fear and condemnation. The Creator of the universe, the Judge of the whole earth, God Himself, is your loving Father. That truth will deliver you from every fear. You can walk in the freedom of His forgiveness and love, knowing the fear of the Lord. Love what He loves and hate what He hates. Draw near to Him in holiness and let His Spirit lead and perfect you. Fear Him and Him only, for there is no safer place in the world than the arms of the King.
No Comments