The Fear of God

 

There are several words for fear in the Bible. One of the words for fear in the Old Testament is Yare. It means to be afraid, to fear, to be in awe of. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the emphasis on Yare is a reverential fear - a person that is in an exalted position so the one revered is given proper respect. One of the Greek words for fear is phobeo. It is where we get the English word phobia. The world does not fear their Creator at all. As a matter of fact, they hate Him. A healthy fear of God means we acknowledge that He is the Almighty. We revere and worship Him. We realize He is the Creator of all things good. We honor His name instead of blaspheming Him. We do not mock or curse Him or His children. Remember, Jesus said that God is His Father. Anyone that attacks the Father’s children attacks the Father Himself - it's personal, very personal.                                                                   

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Point being, no one can get to “first base” in life if they do not fear the Lord. The optics of many people’s lives provide an illusion. Let me explain what I mean. When a person is materially prosperous and successful many conclude that person is blessed by God. That is true. God causes His rain to fall on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45). But, if that person is ungrateful and unholy. How long do you think their prosperity will last? Not long. For Jesus said, “What will profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matthew 16:26)?

You see, the man or woman who does not fear God is a fool. So no one can have true lasting knowledge and wisdom if they refuse to worship the God who made them in the first place. The person who does not fear God does not even know Him. God does not know them either.

A healthy fear of God also acknowledges one’s own sin. This is what happened when Jesus was dying on the cross between two criminals: Then one of the criminals who was hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other rebuked him saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.”

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).

      

The repentant criminal is the way that all sinners should respond when they encounter Jesus; fear and reverence. They must recognize their sinfulness and plead for the Lord’s mercy to save their wretched souls. The contrite criminal was saved because He feared God. The other man was not.

Jesus said to not fear those that kill the body, and after that there is nothing more they can do, but rather fear Him that can cast body and soul in hell (Luke 12:4-5). Our fear should be reserved for the one for whom we all must give an account; the one that has the power of life and death.  Hebrews 10:31 says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

So, if one desires to be wise, then they must start at the beginning; they must fear God. That is they must praise Him for who He is. Give honor and glory to His name. Bless Him for His marvelous works. Because if you don’t, remember fools die for lack of wisdom (Proverbs 10:21).