The Fear of God

  1. INTRODUCTION

    1. In our culture today, the fear of God has been almost completely lost.  This is evident by the fearless behavior and language of worldly people who constantly pursue wickedness of every kind.

    2. Presently, let us consider what it means to fear God and why the fear of God is good for us.

       

  2. THE FEAR OF GOD IS...

    1. The fear of God is to stand in awe of Him.

      1. The word "awesome" is used very loosely today, but our God is truly awesome.

        1. At the thought of God, we all should be in awe, wonder, and amazement.

        2. Psalm 33:8 says, "Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him."

      2. Consider how Israel trembled at Mount Sinai due to the awesome presence of God (Ex. 19:16-20; 20:18-21; more on this later). Even Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling" (Heb. 12:21).

    2. The fear of God is to be genuinely afraid of Him.

      1. A reading of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 gives good reasons to fear God's awesome power, for He can afflict severe punishment upon those who provoke His anger.

      2. The prospect of physical harm at the hand of God is enough to cause tremendous fear, but even greater fear is realized at the prospect of eternal spiritual harm.

        1. Jesus gave this instruction: "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28).

        2. Notice the fearful words of 2Thessalonians 1:7-9, which says that...

          7...the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  9These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

        3. Indeed, "it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).

    3. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

      1. "The beginning of knowledge" indicates that the first step in becoming truly knowledgeable and wise is learning the fear of God.

        1. Proverbs 1:7 -- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

        2. Proverbs 9:10 -- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

        3. Psalm 111:10 -- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

      2. The fear of God is not only the beginning of knowledge, but it is also the most necessary part of knowledge, for the fear of God is the basis of everything we need to know and do.

        1. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -- 13The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  14For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

        2. Proverbs 2:4-5 -- 4If you seek [understanding] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

        3. Proverbs 15:33 -- The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.

        4. Job 28:28 -- "And to man [God] said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'"

    4. The fear of God is life, longevity, strength, and protection.

      1. Israel was told that the fear of God would preserve them in their land.

        1. Deuteronomy 5:29 -- "Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!"

        2. Deuteronomy 6:2 -- "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged."

        3. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 -- 12"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13and to keep the LORD's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?"

      2. Consider some of the blessings that come to those who fear God.

        1. Psa. 34:9 -- O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want.

        2. Psalm 115:10 -- You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

        3. Proverbs 10:27 -- The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

        4. Proverbs 14:26 -- In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.

        5. Proverbs 14:27 -- The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

        6. Proverbs 19:23 -- The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

        7. Prov. 22:4 -- The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.

        8. Isaiah 66:2 -- ..."But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

    5. The fear of God is to hate all evil.

      1. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, and by that fear we learn to love what is good and hate what is evil.  Notice Proverbs 8:13, which says, "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate."

      2. The fear of God equips our consciences to turn away from evil.

        1. Proverbs 3:7 -- Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

        2. Proverbs 16:6 -- By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

        3. Proverbs 23:17 -- Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always.

           

  3. RECONCILING THE FEAR OF GOD AND THE LOVE OF GOD

    1. We must fear God, but we also know that God loves us.

      1. "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29), but also "God is love" (John 4:8, 16).

      2. Like a child who both fears and loves a loving, disciplining father, so also we must fear and love our loving, disciplining Father (see Heb. 12:5-11).

    2. Why should we fear a God who loves us and desires nothing but good for us?  The answers to this question have already been given above, but let us look closer.

      1. Consider the example of Israel.

        1. When God descended on Mount Sinai, the people were afraid they would die, but Moses said, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin" (Ex. 20:20).

        2. Israel did not need to be afraid of death as long as they did not sin.  It was the constant, instilled fear of God's punishment that was to keep them from sinning.

      2. Like Israel, we have no need to fear punishment when we do not sin.  However, it is the fear of God's punishment that will deter us from sinning.

        1. 1John 4:18 -- There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

        2. Romans 11:22 -- Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.

           

  4. CONCLUSION

    1. If the world had a healthy fear of God today, then it would not be immersed in wickedness and sin.

    2. Therefore, let us know the fear of God that we may abide in God's grace rather than in His wrath.




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