Topical Bible: Godly Fear: Advantages of

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Godly fear, often understood as a reverent awe and respect for God, is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith. It is not a fear that paralyzes but one that inspires obedience, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with the Creator. The Bible provides numerous insights into the advantages of cultivating godly fear.

1. Beginning of Wisdom and Knowledge: The fear of the Lord is frequently associated with the acquisition of wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This reverence for God opens the believer's heart and mind to divine truths, guiding them in righteous living.

2. Source of Life and Protection: Godly fear is portrayed as a source of life and protection. Proverbs 14:27 declares, "The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." This suggests that those who fear God are kept from spiritual and moral pitfalls, leading to a life that is both abundant and secure.

3. Motivation for Holiness: The fear of God motivates believers to pursue holiness and righteousness. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul exhorts, "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." This reverence compels Christians to live in a manner that honors God, striving for purity in thought and deed.

4. Encouragement for Obedience: Godly fear encourages obedience to God's commandments. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 emphasizes this, stating, "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." This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's love and authority.

5. Provision of God's Mercy: Those who fear the Lord are recipients of His mercy. Psalm 103:11 assures, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him." This divine mercy is a profound advantage, offering forgiveness and grace to those who revere God.

6. Assurance of God's Favor: Godly fear brings the assurance of God's favor and blessings. Psalm 147:11 states, "The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion." This favor manifests in various aspects of life, providing peace, guidance, and divine support.

7. Foundation for Strong Relationships: The fear of the Lord fosters strong and healthy relationships, both with God and others. Ephesians 5:21 encourages believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission, rooted in godly fear, promotes unity and love within the Christian community.

In summary, godly fear is a vital component of the Christian life, offering wisdom, protection, motivation for holiness, encouragement for obedience, and the assurance of God's mercy and favor. It is a reverence that enriches the believer's spiritual journey and strengthens their relationship with God and others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 15:16
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
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Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
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Ecclesiastes 8:12,13
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
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Library

Of the Advantages and Disadvantages which Often Indiscriminately ...
... God.Book I. Chapter 8."Of the Advantages and Disadvantages ... to enjoy, nor shrink with
an unseemly fear from the ... a service would make us not godly, but greedy ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of the advantages and.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... according to the various tempers, present dispositions, advantages or disadvantages ...
the insufficiency of all things within them, in godly fear hide themselves ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm

The Kingdom of Heaven
... I have, as it were, set you up, in life, and given you advantages by which you may
prosper if you ... Let us lay this to heart, with seriousness and godly fear. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxx the kingdom of.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... we had duly drunk into this spirit of reverence and godly fear! ... with our love of
the world, our fear of men ... of the Old Covenant, who with less advantages yet so ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. ... esteem
and friendly offices of Christians, and even worldly advantages, may be ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

The Nature of Enthusiasm
... Experience tells him what advantages he has in his present state, either for ... words,
as well as your actions, be all tempered with reverence and godly fear. 39. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 37 the nature of.htm

Mongrel Religion
... unto this day." In an out-and-out godly family it ... to see the children springing up
to fear God; but ... a false flag, so do they reap many advantages from sailing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

The Third Season
... mindedness, no condition so much abounds with advantages for these ... There is no reason
to fear the ruin of that ... the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... no other people had so many advantages and means of ... They teach them to fear the Lord,
and live in all ... We sometimes see godly parents, who had labored before in ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

The Benefits of an Early Piety
... Second general thing proposed, To show the advantages that will ... one, who is a young
saint, need fear no such ... But as for the godly, that have been enabled to ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the benefits of an early.htm