Definition and Importance

Fearing God is a central tenet of Christian conduct, encompassing reverence, awe, and respect towards the Almighty. It is not merely about being afraid but involves a profound recognition of God's holiness, power, and authority. This fear is foundational to wisdom and understanding, as stated in Proverbs 9:10 : "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Biblical Basis

The concept of fearing God is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing its significance in the life of a believer. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often linked with obedience and righteousness. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 instructs, "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, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?"

In the New Testament, fearing God continues to be a vital aspect of Christian life. Acts 9:31 describes the early church: "Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, and it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."

Characteristics of Godly Fear

1. Reverence and Awe: Fearing God involves a deep respect for His majesty and holiness. Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts believers, "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."

2. Obedience: A genuine fear of God leads to obedience to His commandments. Ecclesiastes 12:13 summarizes this duty: "When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."

3. Trust and Dependence: Fearing God also involves trusting in His wisdom and provision. Psalm 115:11 encourages, "You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield."

4. Hatred of Evil: Proverbs 8:13 states, "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech." This fear instills a moral compass that rejects sin and embraces righteousness.

Benefits of Fearing God

1. Wisdom and Knowledge: As previously mentioned, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It opens the door to understanding and discernment.

2. Protection and Provision: Psalm 34:9 assures, "Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing." God's provision and protection are promised to those who revere Him.

3. Life and Prosperity: Proverbs 19:23 declares, "The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, untouched by trouble." This fear brings about a life of peace and fulfillment.

4. Intimacy with God: Psalm 25:14 reveals, "The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them." Fearing God fosters a closer relationship with Him, where He shares His heart and plans.

Practical Application

Believers are called to cultivate a healthy fear of God in their daily lives. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and worship, allowing the Holy Spirit to instill a deeper reverence for God. It also requires a commitment to live according to His commandments, seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life. As Christians grow in their fear of the Lord, they reflect His character more fully, becoming beacons of His truth and love in the world.Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:17
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Conduct of the Holy Man Where There are Women Only.
... Chapter IV."Conduct of the Holy Man Where There are ... into a place where there are
no Christian men, but ... address them in a suitable manner, as men fearing God. ...
/.../clement/two epistles concerning virginity/chapter iv conduct of the holy.htm

Of the Marriage of Priests.
... many have confessed that no good, honest, chaste life, no Christian, sincere, upright
conduct has resulted ... [Moreover, many God-fearing and intelligent ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxiii of the marriage.htm

Matthew Hale.
... But this propensity and conduct were corrected by a circumstance that made a ... soul,
yet, even in the concerns of this life, a good man fearing God, and begging ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/matthew hale.htm

What Doest Thou Here?
... that there are two questions which every Christian professor ought ... with us as tests
of conduct and companionship ... with a godless man's a God-fearing one's life ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/what doest thou here.htm

Prayer and Science
... they do show, by their daily conduct, that a ... calling, have ended as they lived,
God-fearing Christian men. ... to his most holy will; who, fearing God, shall fear ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon iii prayer and science.htm

Epistle xxvi. Cyprian to the Lapsed.
... written to me, and are humble and meek and trembling and fearing God, and who ... that
you have written, having regard to the mediocrity of my place and conduct. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xxvi cyprian to the.htm

The victory of Faith
... a man is directly responsible at first for his own conduct to God ... godly, useful and
honourable, truly independent and yet truly humble; fearing God and fearing ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon vii the victory of.htm

Mongrel Religion
... How can I explain their conduct? ... that they are dropped into the midst of Christian
people, and ... to be the characteristic of a fusion of fearing God and serving ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

John Knox.
... her policy as ruin to Scotland, she fearing him as ... national policy, if not the personal
conduct, of the ... the sweet and lovely traits of Christian character, it ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 88 john knox.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... obedient to the Lord's precepts, and fearing God, ought to ... doings of each one as
respects his habitual conduct. ... of God, nor the strength of Christian virtue or ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

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