FEAR OF THE LORD

[mikeedwards]

I find that I have experienced great freedom from allowing God to teach me the Fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. The Fear of the Lord is jam packed with benefits for the believer like this - psalm 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

However I know that some think this does not apply today. They want to quote 1 John 4:18 and say things like - Should I fear my Father? Why would I fear my best friend?

I wanted to start a discussion on this topic with this verse where it speaks of two kinds of fear.

Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”

Jump in and let us know what you think. If you agree tell us your experience. If you disagree or do not quite understand the concept, tell us that too.

There are several great Bible studies online about this subject too. Here is one I ran across -
http://faithworksministries.org/fear.html

[tomoral]

I just know when I start to do something I know is wrong, but somehow feel led to do it anyway, I get a fear inside me that stops me short of doing it....does it work everytime? No. But the fear is of God, my conscience, so to speak.When I do it anyway, a fear comes to me and I get a nagging feeling, like I have become separated from God. It is only when I take my remorse to Him and ask for forgiveness that the fear goes away. We should all have that fear in us, so that when we tell ourselves it's okay, just this once, that fear overtakes us and we are pulled back. Glad you brought up this topic, Mike.....I needed this one.

God Bless, Lynn

[mikeedwards]

The Fear of the Lord Benefits - place your cursor on the verse reference to see the verse.

Psalm 34:11 says that God will teach us the Fear of the Lord if we ask. This verse again tells us that the Fear of the Lord is something different. The normal fear we experience throughout our lives does not require a teacher. The Bible says the Fear of the Lord dispels our earthly fear. Trumps it if you will and makes earthly fear, fear of man inconsequential in comparison. Here is a list of some of the benefits of the Fear of the Lord. If you do not understand the term, do not judge it by it's surface appearance. Ask God to teach it to you and He will and you will be greatly blessed.

22 of the benefits for those who fear the Lord

1.Receive divine instruction concerning the choices they should make (Ps 25:12).
2.Are prosperous in the most important ways (Ps 25:13; 112:3).
3.Experience God’s goodness (Ps 31:19).
4.Are special objects of God’s protection (Ps 31:20).
5.Have children to whom God shows compassion (Ps 103:11-18).
6.Have descendants who will be great on the earth in the most important ways (Ps 112:2).
7.Are motivated to be gracious and generous (Ps 112:4-5).
8.Will be confident, courageous people (Ps 112:6-8; Prov 14:26).
9.Will experience contentment (Ps 112:5-6, 9; Prov 19:23).
10.Will be praying people whose prayers will be heard (Ps 145:19).
11.Are blessed with wisdom (Prov 1:7; 9:10).
12.Are teachable and peaceful (Prov 8:13; 14:26; 15:33; Acts 9:31).
13.Are characterized by integrity and faithfulness (Job 2:3).
14.Are considerate and kind (Ps 112:4-5).
15.Are noted for constructive speech (Mal 3:16).
16.Are patient, hopeful, and genuine (Ps 147:11).
17.Persevere in doing what is right (Ps 112:3, 5; 2 Cor 7:1).
18.Work hard, but are not so committed to work that they do not have time for enjoyment (Ps 128:3).
19.Accept responsibility for their own families and yet are not overly responsible (Ps 128:3).
20.Are devoted to their families and find them to be a source of great satisfaction (Ps 128:1-4).
21.Delight in worshipping God (Rev 14:7).
22.Love the Scripture and order their lives according to God’s commands (Ps 112:1; Eccl 12:13).
http://counselingoneanother.com/2011/11/30/22-benefits-of-fearing-god/

[Enad]

This topic is my button puncher! The reason is because I am like one yelling "the bridge is out ahead!"

There has been many years of laxity in the Church regarding instruction on the wrath of God, and the disciplines of God to those of His who do wrong, and won't stop. I feel it genders sleepiness about Godly and holy living. It does not challenge the unbeliever to a reason for making a decision for salvation.

The same Bible that tells us that God is Love is the same one that tells us that He is angry with the wicked everyday. Somehow we manage to think in terms of "This or That" and never in the terms of "And."

A great portion of my theological boot camp training has been in Churches that reject the teaching of Jesus regarding Hell, and the inspiration of the Scriptures for that matter. You may think God would not place anyone in those places but yes, He does. Especially those who are willing to arm wrestle for the Truth.

I appreciate this article.

Enad

[lthomas]

I've always felt that to fear the Lord meant to revere/honor/respect Him. I've never felt a "trembling" fear of God in that He asks us to draw close. If I know that I am saved, then I have nothing to fear. I can "feel" fear in everyday affairs, but it is my faith that carries me through it - God has overcome the world. He will either give me the grace to bear it or win out over it.

Also, in that I am saved, I know that God will forgive me if I earnestly repent and I'll not be sent to the "nether" world. And, to your point, Mike, there is great comfort in knowing this.

I think it interesting, too, that whenever an angel approached a mortal in the Bible, his first words were/are always: "Fear not..."

Good discussion.

Loren

[Hoomi]

Part of the problem is that our modern culture always views fear as a negative thing, but we need to remember - God installed fear in us, and the animals, for a reason. Fear is a survival mechanism. It is healthy in its proper context, as it helps keep us from danger. You SHOULD fear 480 Volts AC 3 Phase. If you get across it, it will most likely kill you. If it doesn't kill you, you may wish it had before it's all said and done. It is dangerous voltage, and a cavalier attitude about it is a good recipe for disaster.

The Hebrew term is "yirat Adonai," and there is nothing in the context about reverential awe or respect. It is pure, unadulterated fear, of the same kind we should have for 480 VAC 3 Phase. God is Holy, and we are not. If we take a cavalier attitude and think we're going to waltz into the presence of Holy God with our sins clinging to us, we can expect nothing more than to be consumed (remember Nadab and Abihu?). While the blood of Messiah cleanses us from our sins, we still must remain mindful that our Heavenly Father is Holy, and that Holiness cannot be compromised. God isn't being vindictive or mean - it's simply the fact that Holy and sinful are incompatible, kind of like baking soda and vinegar are incompatible. Me trying to enter the Holy Presence with my sins intact, and expecting to be okay, is much like dropping a grain of baking soda into a swimming pool full of vinegar, and expecting the baking soda to float along unscathed. It's not going to happen.

All that said, the fear should keep us mindful of what we need to do as we approach, whether we're getting ready to work around 480 VAC, or whether we're coming before our Heavenly Father. We observe safe working habits around high voltage, and when we come before God, we observe the process of sanctification, even as the Priests in the Old Testament underwent ritual cleansing before performing duties within the Holy portions of the Temple. For us, it is the process of confessing our sins (more than just admitting we did them, but confessing that it is sin, and we were wrong to do so), and purposing to turn away from those sins in the future (i.e repentance). When we have the cleansing of Messiah's blood to cover our sins, we can then boldly enter into the Holy Place, knowing that we have taken the proper measures to address the reasons for our fear.

[pathlightfinder]

For me I would say that I see the fear of the Lord as multifaceted - just as is His love. In His love He will both chastise us and reward us. Our fear of the Lord reminds us that while He is loving He is still in command and we are to stive for obediance. We obey both because we love Him and because we fear His displeasure.
We may feel His displeasure at times; but, those that never repent will sadly never feel His love.
Personally, though saved by Grace, I still feel unworthy and tremble at the thought of being in the presence of God.

In Brotherly Love,

Wayne

[eaglelion]

Hi -

Yes, indeed, the fear of GOD is healthy for sure.

Everything that GOD commands is reasonable, and wise.

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Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. - Ecclesiastes 12:13 - KJV

[jo555]

I have no fear of God in the sense that I know He is my loving Father who will never reject me. With Him I can be totally open and honest knowing He loves me no matter what, and is not going to pounce on me.

Where I do find myself fearing is if I suspect I am shutting out his light, instead of turning to it; if I find myself feeling unforgiving towards another, and am tempted to hold onto that...and such things like that.

I feel fear because I know that He is still a just God and we will reap what we sow (beyond what I fee is grace for mistakes we make). I know He won't force me to follow Him and there will be consequences to pay for going my own way...not in the way of Him turning his back on me for He won't, but in the way of learning that his way is best.

I do find that there are some that advocate a fear of God that is unhealthy, and those that advocate against fear to the point that I feel they make fear to be a bad thing, when good and evil lies in the heart of the individual. Not saying I have it all right, but as with all things, it can be reconciled in Christ.

[jo555]

And yes, it isn't just about the fear...I love Him too.