Topical Encyclopedia Godly fear, often understood as a reverent awe and respect for God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It is not merely an emotional response but a commanded attitude that reflects a deep understanding of God's holiness, power, and authority. This reverence is foundational to a life of faith and obedience.Old Testament Foundations The concept of godly fear is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 6:13, the Israelites are instructed, "Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name." This command underscores the exclusivity of worship and reverence due to God alone. The fear of the Lord is presented as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), indicating that a proper understanding of God is the foundation of all true knowledge and insight. The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, emphasizing the blessings and protection that come from fearing God. Psalm 34:9 states, "Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing." This verse highlights the provision and care that God extends to those who hold Him in reverent awe. New Testament Continuation The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of godly fear. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus instructs His followers, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This teaching emphasizes the ultimate authority of God over life and death, urging believers to prioritize their reverence for Him above all earthly fears. The early church also recognized the necessity of godly fear. Acts 9:31 describes the church as "walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit," suggesting that reverence for God was integral to the community's spiritual health and growth. Apostolic Teachings The apostolic writings further elaborate on the command to fear God. In Philippians 2:12, Paul exhorts believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." This instruction implies a serious and respectful approach to one's spiritual journey, acknowledging the gravity of God's work in salvation. Hebrews 12:28-29 provides a powerful reminder of God's holiness: "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 calls believers to worship with a profound sense of respect, recognizing the majesty and power of God. Practical Implications Godly fear is not merely an abstract concept but has practical implications for daily living. It influences ethical behavior, as seen in Ecclesiastes 12:13: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." This verse encapsulates the essence of a life lived in accordance with God's will, driven by a reverent fear of the Lord. Moreover, godly fear fosters humility and dependence on God. James 4:10 encourages believers to "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This humility is rooted in a recognition of God's greatness and our own limitations. In summary, godly fear is a commanded and essential aspect of the believer's relationship with God. It is a reverence that acknowledges His sovereignty, inspires obedience, and shapes a life of worship and devotion. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 13:4You shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and join to him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 22:23 Ecclesiastes 12:13 1 Peter 2:17 Library The Survival of the Fittest. Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty The Saint among Sinners "Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. " How we Shall Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Win to ... Prayer and Obedience Hebrews xii. 18-24 Letter iv. On the Reading and Study of the Holy Scriptures National Apostasy Mental Prayer. Resources Is it true that fear is a liar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear not / do not fear? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about fear? | GotQuestions.org Fear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fear of God: A Motive of Obedience Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: David Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Job, According to the Testimony of Satan Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Jonah, During the Storm Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Noah, in Preparing the Ark Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: The Jews, in Obeying the Voice of the Lord Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: The Women at the Grave Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Adam and Eve Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Demons Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Judas Fear of God: Guilty Fear: The Guards at Jesus' Tomb Fear of God: Hezekiah, in his Treatment of the Prophet Micah, Who Prophesied Harm Against Jerusalem Fear of God: Jacob, in the Vision of the Ladder, and the Covenant of God Fear of God: Obadiah, in Sheltering One-Hundred Prophets Against the Wrath of Jezebel Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague Fear of God: The Egyptians, at the Time of the Plague of Thunder and Hail and Fire Fear of God: The Midwives of Egypt, in Refusing to Take the Lives of the Hebrew Children Fear of God: The Nine and One-Half Tribes of Israel West of the Jordan River Godly Fear: A Characteristic of Saints Godly Fear: A Fountain of Life Godly Fear: A Treasure to Saints Godly Fear: Filial and Reverential Godly Fear: God is the Author of Godly Fear: God is the Object of Godly Fear: Motives to Judgments of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Forgiveness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Goodness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Greatness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Holiness of God Godly Fear: Motives to Wondrous Works of God Godly Fear: Necessary to Avoiding of Sin Godly Fear: Necessary to Impartial Administration of Justice Godly Fear: Necessary to Perfecting Holiness Godly Fear: Necessary to Righteous Government Godly Fear: Necessary to The Service of God Godly Fear: Necessary to The Worship of God Godly Fear: Searching the Scriptures Gives the Understanding of Godly Fear: should Accompany the Joy of Saints Godly Fear: should be Constantly Maintained Godly Fear: should be Exhibited in Giving a Reason for Our Hope Godly Fear: should be Exhibited in Our Callings Godly Fear: should be Prayed For Godly Fear: should be Taught to Others Godly Fear: The Wicked Destitute of Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Accepted of God Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Blessed Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Pitied by God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Afford Pleasure to God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Confide in God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Converse Together of Holy Things Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Days of, Prolonged Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Depart from Evil Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Desires of, Fulfilled by God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Receive Mercy from God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: should not Fear Man Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Future Punishment Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Idols Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Judgments Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Man Unholy Fear is Described as Consuming Unholy Fear is Described as Overwhelming Unholy Fear: A Characteristic of the Wicked Unholy Fear: A Guilty Conscience Leads To Unholy Fear: Adonijah's Guests Unholy Fear: Exhortations Against Unholy Fear: Saints Delivered From Unholy Fear: Saints Sometimes Tempted To Unholy Fear: Seizes the Wicked Unholy Fear: Shall be Realised Unholy Fear: Surprises the Hypocrite Unholy Fear: The Wicked Judicially Filled With Unholy Fear: Trust in God, a Preservative From Related Terms |
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