Topical Bible: Fear of God: Cultivated

◄ Fear of God: Cultivated ►

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The concept of the "Fear of God" is a profound and multifaceted theme throughout the Bible, encompassing reverence, awe, and a deep respect for the Almighty. It is not merely an emotion but a cultivated attitude that influences a believer's relationship with God and their conduct in the world. The Fear of God is foundational to wisdom, obedience, and worship, and it is a recurring theme in both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Foundations

The Fear of God is first introduced in the Old Testament as a fundamental aspect of the covenant relationship between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 10:12, Moses exhorts the Israelites: "And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." This passage highlights that fearing God involves a holistic commitment to His commandments and a heartfelt devotion.

The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, frequently emphasizes the Fear of God as the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This fear is not paralyzing dread but a reverential awe that leads to a life aligned with divine principles.

New Testament Continuation

In the New Testament, the Fear of God continues to be an essential aspect of the Christian life. The early church, as described in Acts 9:31, "was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." This indicates that the Fear of God was integral to the spiritual vitality and growth of the early believers.

The apostle Paul, in his epistles, often links the Fear of God with holiness and moral conduct. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, he urges believers, "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Here, the Fear of God is a motivating force for sanctification and purity.

Cultivating the Fear of God

Cultivating the Fear of God involves intentional practices and attitudes that foster a deeper reverence for the Lord. Regular engagement with Scripture is crucial, as it reveals God's character and His expectations for His people. Psalm 119:38 declares, "Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You." Through the Word, believers gain insight into God's holiness and majesty, prompting a response of awe and obedience.

Prayer and worship are also vital in nurturing the Fear of God. In worship, believers acknowledge God's greatness and submit to His authority. Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts, "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire." This passage underscores the importance of approaching God with a heart of reverence and gratitude.

Furthermore, the Fear of God is cultivated through community and accountability within the body of Christ. Fellow believers encourage one another to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, as seen in Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission and encouragement help maintain a collective focus on honoring God in all aspects of life.

The Fear of God and Love

While the Fear of God involves reverence and awe, it is not incompatible with love. In fact, the two are deeply intertwined. The Fear of God leads to a greater appreciation of His love and grace, as seen in Psalm 103:11, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him." This fear is a response to God's holiness and love, prompting believers to live in a way that reflects His character.

In summary, the Fear of God is a cultivated attitude that encompasses reverence, awe, and obedience. It is foundational to wisdom, holiness, and worship, and it is nurtured through Scripture, prayer, worship, and community. The Fear of God is not a contradiction to love but rather a complement, leading to a deeper relationship with the Almighty.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not near here: put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place where on you stand is holy ground.
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Exodus 19:12,13
And you shall set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that you go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whoever touches the mount shall be surely put to death:
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Hebrews 12:18-24
For you are not come to the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor to blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
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Library

A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great ...
... A cultivated Conservative friend of mine once exhibited great distress ... it has to
look for its god through a ... gives one something of this nameless fear of the ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 42 a cultivated conservative.htm

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
... He does not restrain the rain to cultivated, or improvable spots, but, with a ... If
you can fear a worm like yourself, but live without the fear of God; if you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvi the lamb of.htm

To Gregory xi
... not themselves, but saw and tasted everything in God. ... that could keep them from bearing
cultivated fruits: since ... And fear not, father, for anything that may ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi.htm

Letter Xcii. To the Italians and Gauls.
... Arius; they then took deep root through the labours of many who vigorously cultivated
the impiety ... The ambition of men, who have no fear of God, rushes into ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xcii to the italians.htm

1 Timothy i. 14-Dec
... This quality was so cultivated by the blessed Paul, that he is ever looking out ...
friendship for men is seen to be more powerful than the fear of God, for the ...
/.../homily iii 1 timothy i.htm

The First Commandment
... I fear upon search, we have more idolaters among us than ... we trust in our civility,
we make it a god. ... Civility is but nature refined and cultivated; a man may ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the first commandment.htm

On Friendship with the World
... who seeks my acquaintance be a person of a strong natural understanding, cultivated
by various ... But still, if he has not at least the fear of God, your loss ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

God's Curse on Sin.
... long as good purposes are being sown in it and good habits cultivated, and the ... But
it happens to us, I fear sometimes, that this thought of God's curse on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xiv gods curse on sin.htm

Sometimes the Masses have Been Driven to Atheism by Science. ...
... duration, than to compel the acknowledgment, fear, admiration, and ... it is not that
God has denied this ... have blinded themselves, they have cultivated the other ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/viii sometimes the masses have.htm

Shewing Wherein all Saving Grace Does Summarily Consist"
... to his father, either from a strong fear, or from ... Such gratitude towards God requires
no more to be in ... at least that human nature well cultivated and improved ...
/.../edwards/treatise on grace/shewing wherein all saving grace.htm