THE FEAR OF THE LORD

                                                    THE FEAR OF THE LORD

(This narrative on the Fear of the Lord is designed to clear up some possible confusion regarding this very critical treasure. Two concerns in particular that I am addressing is the "superstitious" fear of God that is based on false teachings and ignorance. These keep people in slavery and from the true liberating fear of the Lord and the grace of Christ. On the other side of the scale is the lack of a genuine "Holy Fear of God"- that which helps us abide in His grace and keeps us from presumptuous behavior. May this be a help to all who read it. With Love in Jesus' name, Gerry Langevin.)

“O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well  with them, and with their children for ever!” Deuteronomy 5:29

“And unto man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28

“By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” Psalm 19:9

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the  comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." Acts 9:31

INDEX:
- OF PRIORITY IMPORTANCE
- BIBLICAL FEAR OF THE LORD VS SUPERSTITION
- HOW DO WE LEARN AND NURTURE THE FEAR OF THE LORD? -THE FOUNDATION AND PERIMETER OF OUR FAITH
- WHAT OTHER RELEVANCE HAS THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND CONFRONTING ATTITUDES THAT OPPOSE
- REMINDERS OF THE FORGETTABLE - We Forget:
                           1-Who He Really IS
                           2 -We forget His Perception
                           3 - We Forget that He does not see Sin and Evil as we do
                           4 - We forget the if God seems to be silent, that does not      mean that He approves or is indifferent
                           5- We Forget that there will be a Day of Reckoning
- GRACE AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD
- WHAT IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?
- HOW DO WE SHORE UP OUR FAITH IN THE AREA OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD?
- MEEKNESS AND RESISTING EVIL/LAWLESSNESS
- DOES THE FEAR OF THE LORD MEAN THAT WE MUST SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD?
- WISDOM AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD
- HOLINESS AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD
- CONCLUSION

 

OF PRIORITY IMPORTANCE!

 Before tackling this subject it is imperative to first clarify our position in Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus has delivered us from the wrath to come 1 Thessalonians. 1:10, reconciled us to God 2 Cor. 5:19, and we have been accepted in the beloved (of the Lord) Eph. 1:4-6. We are His children, and heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ Jesus Romans 8:17. We have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of His Dear Son Col. 1:13. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A MOST CRITICAL PART OF OUR WALK WITH THE LORD - By the fear of the Lord, we have fled from the wrath to come, we have separated ourselves from the wickedness of the world to take hold of the promise of salvation, and we cleave to Jesus that we may be counted worthy when He returns or calls us home.

BIBLICAL FEAR OF THE LORD VS SUPERSTITION

The true fear of the Lord is developed through the knowledge of His will, His laws, and His ways, and these we learn through the teachings of the Bible.

 Superstition is developed out of ignorance concerning God and His ways. That leads  into an attempt to fill in the gaps with presumptuous rules, laws, and sacrifices to hopefully appease and please Him Whom they know not. Yet all the while we are living in uncertainty and fear of assumed pending judgment and disaster for things that may have nothing to do with the laws of the True and Living God.

This causes huge problems:

a.     The religion developed is typically joined to the identity of a social or national pride where the adherents have embraced their religion as a critical part of their identity. That leaves them with the sensation that to renounce it they would be renouncing their true identity.

b.    The wrong emphasis regarding the Terror concept of God or gods alienates us from the True and Living God, and encourages the desperate attachment to the ‘appeasing rituals’ which are a humanistic attempt to avert the wrath of an angry deity. It also barricades the adherents from the liberating message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Even as Christians, our concept of God our Loving Heavenly Father may be so tainted that we are afraid to run to Him when we are in need, especially the need for forgiveness.

c.     The devil has a heyday tormenting his adherents (it is he who is behind false religions) who all along are thinking that God or the gods are punishing them. The road can go far down from here as to what he can get us to do with regards to sacrifices to appease this god, gods, or spirits.

d.    Furthermore, by establishing false laws and statutes they become a smoke screen to God’s laws and statutes, and have carried on the very traditions and even rituals that break God’s laws, such as sexual rites and human sacrifice. So on one hand, the adherents may feel guilt and terror for things that are irrelevant to God, and yet feel completely justified while breaking His commandments thinking they are doing Him service (John 16:2). And when God’s commandments are being broken, it means that the innocent and helpless are suffering.

“Therefore the Lord said, ‘Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, , and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precepts of men.’” Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8-9 (fear = doctrines)

HOW DO WE LEARN AND NURTURE THE FEAR OF THE LORD?
 By reading the Bible, listening to Bible teaching and instruction, especially regarding His laws, commandments, and judgments, we are able to learn clearly what God calls right and wrong, good and evil, and what are the deserved consequences. Our conscience becomes awakened to our sinful condition, our lost state, and our need to be saved from our sins. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ begins to make sense and truly becomes the GOOD NEWS! Healthy boundaries are formed and a firm foundation of the fear of the Lord is established on the counsel of His Word.
             

          THE  FOUNDATION AND PERIMETER OF OUR FAITH
"Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." Acts 9:31 NIV
 The Fear of the Lord is a very basic and foundational part of our faith where we "flee from the wrath to come", steer away from the pitfalls of sin, and live a life of faith, godliness, and love. Heaven will be made up of His servants and those that fear Him Revelation 19:5 
. Living in the fear of God is not living in terror that something bad is going to happen to us every time we make a mistake. On the other hand, we do not tempt the Lord by presumptuous and irresponsible living. 

  If we live our lives in a constant fear that God is looking for reasons to punish us (hanging on to the fence), we are not only missing the truth of the Gospel of Grace that Jesus has purchased for us and “the glorious liberty of the children of GOD”(Romans 8:21),  but we have especially not grasped the Love and nature of God our Father, nor do we have a healthy concept of the fear of the Lord. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear, because fear has torment (thought of punishment AMP). He that fears is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:17

  Nor do we live our life using the grace of God as an opportunity to please the flesh. The true fear of the Lord helps us keep our sinful tendencies in check. "By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." Proverbs 16:6

 Living in doubts and fear are a product of religion. On the other hand, presumptuous carelessness is an expression of human arrogance and is a misuse of grace, nor is a healthy faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither are living the life that Jesus has ordained for us to live. Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed…The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM come that they might life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 8:36, 10:10, Titus 2:11-13

 The eyes of our mind and heart must be focused on Jesus. If we focus on ourselves, all that we are likely to see are wretched unreliable sinners, and that is all we are outside of Christ. Oh, but Jesus, our Lord and Savior, He is PERFECT AND AWESOME and we are clean in Him!!! "For by one offering He has perfected forever them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:14
 To sum up what I am trying to say here is that the True fear of the Lord is not living in torment and doubt; and a genuine walk in faith and grace is not presumptuous or arrogant whereby we despise the commands and warnings of God Almighty. If we are walking in the true fear of the Lord by faith we experience  His Holiness, Liberty, and Joy.

WHAT OTHER RELEVANCE HAS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?

  With all that being said, where does the fear of the Lord fit in, and how do we apply it? This admonition from the Scriptures of the Bible is timeless and unimaginably important on many fronts. The fear of the Lord keeps us from the allurements and temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. As we see the rapid moral deterioration of our increasingly godless societies, where, as Jesus said, “iniquity/sinfulness/lawlessness will abound,” a healthy fear of the Lord will help us keep in check and help us hold to our bearing until we make it home “…by the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6. This concept we must grasp in spite of all the natural obstacles and opposing reasoning. These reasons may sound good, and even Biblical if we are not familiar with the Bible in its entirety. These perspectives and mentalities break down this critical defense against lawlessness and rebellion, thus rendering us more susceptible to cave to the thinking and behaviors of world and its ways, which are heading to judgment.

 

 - Many say, “God is a Loving Father, why should I fear Him?” True, but we easily incline to sinful behavior, rebellion, and ignorantly follow the flesh and its indulgent ways, in spite of all our self-righteous confidence. “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool.” Proverbs 28:26.  Even though He loves us, He will not tolerate wicked and evil behavior indefinitely, which are ALWAYS harmful to everyone involved.

 

 -They also further say, “The word ‘fear’ means reverence; as in respect.” True, but it also implies fear, as afraid, greatly, and even terror. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.” Hebrews 10:31

 I respect the police, but if I were to break the law, I would fear them.

 

-“We are not under the Law, but under grace.” Again, this is very true, but, “For the grace of God that brings salvation  has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking  for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-12

 Having the grace of God in our lives does not mean that sin is less lethal or evil, but through God’s grace we can be free from the power, influence, and in some cases even the consequences of it. The challenge regarding living in the grace of God is that though we have amazing liberty, we must be ever so careful not to lose the wariness of what the Bible calls sinful behavior lest we develop a passive regard for it, or worst, become partakers by agreement with it at any level.

REMINDERS OF THE FORGETTABLE -

 Because we are natural beings (even though we each have a spirit) living in a natural world predominately governed by our five senses, we can easily lose perspective of the spiritual and eternal aspects of God, His nature, His laws, and judgments.

First of all we forget:

1-    Who God really IS! In our minds and behavior we sometimes unwittingly tend to reduce God down to our size and scope of existence, thus rendering Him, His influence, and even His ability, negligible. In reality, God Almighty is bigger than the universe “…The heavens, even the highest heavens cannot contain You…” 2 Chronicles 6:18 NIV This next verse really brings home the Awesomeness of our Majesty on High, “And I saw a Great White Throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face Earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” Revelation 20:11. Because we cannot see Him it is easy to lightly regard Him with Whom we are accountable to.

2-We forget His perception. We forget that He knows everything, even our thoughts, and nothing is hid from Him, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13 NAS.  This is not to imply that we are even trying to hide anything from Him.  Occasionally we simply forget. If we could be more alert, we would likely be far more careful with our thoughts, speech, and behavior.

   3-We forget that He does not see sin and evil as we do.

“You are of purer eyes to behold evil, and cannot look upon iniquity…” Habakkuk 1:13, “You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity (sinful, lawless behavior)…” Hebrews 1:9

The scary issue here is that we can become so used to seeing and hearing evil that we can become desensitized to it, and disregard the seriousness of it, and in some cases even regard it as acceptable, perhaps not for us, but for those practicing it. Remember, He is Holy, and He wants us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), and He does not change. Malachi 3:6

4-We forget that if God seems to be silent, that does not mean He is tolerant or indifferent –

“…These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether such a one as yourself…”  His silence is not an indication of His approval of certain behaviors or attitudes. Remember, He has already told us in His Word, the Bible, what He accepts, what He approves, and what He rejects. It is now up to us to choose and obey. Furthermore He is patient and not willing that any perish, but that they repent and come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9. So we can easily misinterpret His silence.

5- We forget that there will be a day of reckoning –

(Read Romans 2:8-9, 2 Peter 3: 4-6)  

 Often it looks like the ungodly are prospering and get away with their sinful behavior. We need to pray for them, but by no means envy them (Psalm 73).  “…Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another: and the Lord listened, and heard it, and a book or remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name...” Malachi 3:13-18

 In the world around us Biblical morals are crumbling, and the knowledge of God is deteriorating, consequently we are being forced almost daily to see and hear things that God calls evil, much like it was with Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah. As previously mentioned, we may not be partaking of these activities ourselves, but if we, who are supposed to be the salt and the light of the world, are accepting these behaviors instead of encouraging people to “flee from the wrath to come,” how are we of any use to them or God? How then can we say that we love them?

GRACE AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD
On one hand we are clearly instructed to fear the Lord, and on the other hand some may assume because of the Gospel of Grace, that we need not fear Him (Jesus never so much as indicated such a thing). The grace of God delivers us from the judgment we deserve, but in no way lessens the seriousness of our sin nor the penalty we actually should have deserved. "But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared." Psalm 130:4

WHAT IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?

 The Bible says that, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil…” Proverbs 8:13, whether it is our own evil, or anyone else’s. The Scriptures further admonish us, “and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11

 Whatever the Bible calls sin, evil, should always be abhorrent to us Romans 12:9. A huge warning sign is if we hear or see something that  God calls sin or evil, and it does not at least grieve us, that can be taken as a warning sign that our defenses are deteriorating.

HOW DO WE SHORE UP OUR FAITH IN THE AREA OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD? “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge.” Cease listening , my son, to discipline(instruction), and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27 KJV, NAS, NIV.

 Both translations work and are accurate. The first is an admonition or warning about listening to the wrong information, because it will cause you to err and go off course. The second version of that verse which is also true, is that we constantly need to listen to proper instruction in order to stay on course.

SHORING UP OUR FEAR OF THE LORD – Remember, that the real Fear of the Lord is actually a by-product of faith, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of the Lord.” Romans 10:17.  Jesus Himself had the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2 The fear of the Lord comes from the Lord, and also as we learn, read, heed by applying, the Word of God in our lives it takes deep root and grows. This is one reason why reading, studying, and listening to the preaching of the Word of God, the Bible, is so important in our daily lives, or at least as we are able.

MEEKNESS AND RESISTING EVIL/LAWLESSNESS

Should we be put in a position of opposing the laws of man in order to not break the laws of God, we must be careful to walk in humility, which is a true expression of the fear of the Lord. Excellent examples of this are the three Hebrews refusing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, Peter and the apostles before the Sanhedrin, Paul before the Felix, Festus, King Agrippa, or Jesus before Pilate. (“…the meek shall inherit the earth.”)

 

DOES THE FEAR OF THE LORD MEAN THAT WE MUST SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD? To qualify this question one must inquire as to the objects of our interests and our intentions.
 We are to be in the world, but definitely not love the world, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." 1 John 2:15-17. "...friendship with the world is enmity with God... James 4:4

 On the one hand, "He has given us all things freely to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17. and all things are lawful to me, but not all things are profitable,...but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12 The grace of God enables us to live in the world, to use things for our benefit, yet not be partakers with its evil. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14 Just in case someone may not be clear, partaking in murder and violence, sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, blasphemy, drunkenness, drugs, lying, stealing, and the like, are still sin and far beyond the boarders of godly liberty). Also be aware that the influences of certain things can be overpowering, and especially to some people more than others.

The wholesome liberty comes through growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 3:18. This is something each individual must determine for themselves without putting a yoke or accusations on another believer. We cannot judge others, especially by our own convictions. We, however, must determine our own boundaries, and what is our safety zone, ‘Others may, but you cannot.’ There are lines you dare not cross as an individual, yet there are likely things that you have the faith for that others dare not. God knows our heart, and we must walk ever so carefully. Regardless of the grace we feel we may be walking in, we know we have crossed the line if we are partaking in what the Word of God calls sin, even if it is an attitude.

WISDOM AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD –

 The Bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – why?

– It helps us make good and safe judgment

-  It requires us to look at the end of the matter and to where          
 our decisions and actions will take us in this life, and in eternity.
- It gives us understanding on multiple levels both in
 the temporal, and the eternal
- It requires us to scrutinize sources more diligently
- It teaches us true values and cost
- It rescues us from the high price of assumption

HOLINESS AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD –

Does the fear of the Lord produce holiness? Doubtless it is a primary ingredient ("Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in  the fear of the Lord. "2 Corinthians 7:1),  but Holiness is also a byproduct of love in action, and is perfected in the fear or the Lord. In the fear of the Lord we avoid all things that are immoral and ungodly. The love that God wants to be working in our lives was explained to me like this – love is never doing or saying anything that would hurt or dishonor God or anyone else. That is what makes true holiness. “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another , and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  to the end He may establish your hearts in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saint.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Pretty cool, eh!

CONCLUSION – The fear of the Lord is a critical aspect of the Christian walk and will be until He returns. It must be the healthy foundational place in our lives as we pursue our walk of faith, hope, and love following Jesus.