THE FEAR OF THE LORD

What is Your Understanding – Part 1?

A popular response to the question about fear would be along the lines of it being an unpleasant feeling triggered by the perception of danger whether it is real or imagined. As human beings we are hardwired for self-preservation. Our minds dart to the familiar phrase of “fight or flight” when we sense a paralysing threat to our life or wellbeing.  

But fear can be useful, the correct kind of fear can force us into extreme concentration and guide us to shed unnecessary distractions.  In the aroma of this statement, I want to stretch your spirit further by showing you by understanding and applying the Fear of God in its intended dialogue, you will be able to confront any adversity despite possible risks and draw a wealth of blessings for your life that you never knew or understood before.    

• What does it mean to fear God?
• Why does the Bible command us to fear God?

“Perfect Love Casts our ALL Fear”

 We have a loving Father. One who loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son as ransom for our pardon.  But being our Heavenly Father, why would He then tell us to fear Him? This subject has a depth that challenges all proverbial off the cuff interpretations.

By now your internal response mechanism has probably located your internal library as we have all heard various opinions regarding this topic, however the un-adulterous truth of its exact crux will unfold for you shortly.  

There are certain words that are synonymous with certain other words for example when I say faith then you would say trust. Now two of the most equivalent words for The Fear of the Lord is Reverence and Honour.  This in its essence is known as Holy Fear.

“The Only Fear You Should Have is The Fear of the Lord”

For elaborate understanding let’s look at different types of fear first.

• UNIVERSAL FEAR. These are fears that we all have in common. It is universal in structure and no matter where this happens people will probably react the same.  For example, if a lion was to enter a building full of people, it would be safe to assume everyone would be afraid.  People would probably scatter into every direction in an attempt to save themselves from possible doom.

• PERSONAL FEARS. These are different types of phobias. These types of fears are so powerful and realistic to the person experiencing them that the reality of it is so overwhelming that it actually shapes their life.

• FEAR OF THE LORD or HOLY FEAR. This fear is entirely different to all the other fears and its this type of fear that we are going to focus on.

As written in 1 John 4:18 (GNT), we are taught that perfect love casts out fear but then the verse throws a curve ball and states that fear involves torment.  So, is fear a good thing or a bad thing to have?  Whenever you come upon what seems to be a contradiction in the Bible, it only lends to the fact that there is a revelation embedded for discovery.  For this discovery we need to understand the context in which each fear was written.  What rings crystal in clarity here is that the incorrect fear will bring torment but that the Fear of the Lord will bring liberation and deliverance from tormenting fear.  This means that the only fear God wants you to have in your life is the Fear of the Lord.

For all you Word lovers like myself, let’s place this subject under a biblical microscope to decipher its various components. 

With this in mind, I have created a crash course to help bring this puzzle into proper perspective for you.

• THE POWER OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD - Ps 23:4 (NKJV). 

The valley of the shadow of death, an expression of perils we experience in our lives.  But David boldly proclaims that he will not fear these threats which tells me that there must be another fear that is greater than the fear of death. David discovered that the Fear of the Lord is more powerful than any other opposing fear and that it drives out every fear that is not of God.

• MEASURING THE FEAR OF THE LORD - Deuteronomy 6:1-2 (NKJV). 

Our instruction is to obey ALL God’s statutes not only the ones that suite us, by this commandment God has given us a measuring tool to enable us to measure how much we actually fear God.  The Fear of the Lord is measured by how much of the Word we believe. Meaning how much of the Word is in operation in our lives.  Your level of revelation of the living word.

• UNDERSTANDING GOD’S STATUTES.  

A Statute is nothing more than a written document or more accurately, a written law.  As believers we can safely say that the document written to us is the Word of God.  However, God’s word is written but also spoken.  That is why the bible says that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceed out of the mouth of God.  Because the spirit of this age is compromise, diluting the word to such a level that many thinks that they do not have to keep God’s word anymore.  This announces perversion of Grace into your life and when this happens it is evidence that you are not fearing God in those areas.

• THE FEAR OF THE LORD CONDITIONS YOUR CONDUCT AND YOUR OUTLOOK - Joshua 24:14 (NKJV). 

Your service to God is birthed out of your fear or reverence for God.  Where Fear of the Lord is, there truth will become a reality.  It will also empower you to walk in truth. By the Fear of the Lord, you will be able to practice constraint.

• WHERE THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS, THERE YOU WILL ALSO FIND HIS GLORY.  

Holy fear is the key to God’s sure foundation, unlocking the treasures of salvation, wisdom and knowledge.  It is the very key that will cause His glory to come into your life.  

In order to give God, the due reverence He deserves, we must pursue the knowledge of the greatness of His glory, being deliberate in our pursuit to grow in our relationship with Him daily.  The Fear of the Lord is a biblical paladin of assured victory and should by all means form part of your weapon system and daily walk with the King of Glory, Jesus Christ.

“The Fear of the Lord is your Spiritual Seatbelt”