Why Christians Should Fear the Lord

Fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and a natural consequence of accepting God's righteous nature.

People sometimes talk about the fear of God, as if you should fear him. Traditionally, fearing the Lord was perceived as a good thing, leading to decency of character. However, nowadays, it seems as if the concept of fearing the Lord is often overlooked, and de-emphasized. Even among conservative Christians, the attitude is often that Jesus is love, and love is all we really need to be pleasing to God. Many would even argue that it is impossible to simultaneously love and fear the same God, because these two emotions are irreconcilably different. Yet, the writers of the scripture consistently assert their love, along with their respectful fear of the Lord.

The fear of God is an important part of being a Christian, that is often expounded upon in scripture. The fear of the Lord is not some great mystery, but comes as a natural consequence of knowing God. When someone becomes aware that they are accountable to one greater than themselves, they develop a kind of fear toward the one to whom they are accountable. This is why Solomon writes that fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9.10 KJV bible). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, because it is a consequence of one growing closer to God, and contrasting his righteous and perfect nature with one's own corruption. Solomon also describes that the fear of God is a fountain of life, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 10.27 KJV bible). The fear of the Lord is a powerful force, leading one out of the snares of death, and acting as a continual fountain of life for those seeking his mercy.

There are, however, different kinds of fear, and as Christians, we should fear God with a particular kind of fear. We should fear the Lord, not in an irrational and unpredictable way, such that is incompatible with love. Rather, we should fear him in a respectful way, as a child of his in Christ. One could draw a comparison between the fear of the Lord, and the fear of fire. Suppose you're in a plane crash, and end up being lost in the wilderness. In order to survive you would depend very much on fire to keep you warm, cook your food, and give you light. Yet, fire can also burn, and destroy, if one does not respect it. It’s the same with God. In having a reverence for his power, glory, and strength, one learns to harness him for survival, as opposed to destruction. So the fear of the Lord is not a fear based on ignorance of his ways, but rather a fear based on an understanding and acceptance of his consistent nature.

The reason that Christians should fear the Lord is not because he is erratic or unpredictable, but rather because they are. God is unchanging, "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed" (Malachi 3.6 KJV bible), however, man is imperfect and quirky. Man’s attitudes and emotions are hollow and vacillating, and even the most steadfast and mature Christian is going to wander from the Spirit at times. It’s the fear of God, and the knowledge that there are consequences to the choices you make, that preserves you and the work of Christ in you. It’s the fear of God that closes those openings that the devil uses to tempt you when you’re weak in the flesh, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16.6 KJV bible). Knowing this, we must arm ourselves with a respectful fear and reverence of the Lord, knowing that it will always work to our justfication and survival, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2nd Corinthians 7.1 KJV bible).

Comments

Manny 11 Mar 2009, 14:09

Hi,Doug i just want to say that i agree 100% The plane crash-fire example was awesome! keep up the good work brother.

Dewayne Short 11 Mar 2009, 18:46

Hi Doug,
Been a while since I've been on your sight. I did receive your email and promised myself to get over here and see what new things you have. I just finished your: "Why Christians Should Fear The Lord", and I agree with your thoughts. I like the word revere or reverence, because I don't think we are supposed to go about our lives with total fear of being struck down by God when we make mistakes. We are supposed to respect him above all because he is our Sovereign Father but he know's we are weak in the flesh and trying sincerely to do well is pretty good in his book I believe.

Now we know the preachers and teachers of "the religious system" love to use scare tactics and make you feel less of a Christian if you can't walk perfect, meanwhile their walk cuts a wider pass than our own and they always remember to beg for money. Obviously, a true teacher of the word is worth his salt but you know the type I speak of; the one's you bring your empty pale to to have filled with the true spirit of God but you only get emotional theatrics thrown upon you, maybe a scripture or two and leave with your pale as empty as it was when you arrived and your spirit yearning more than before.

Whew! Kind of early for all that I guess but it is truth. Anyway I enjoyed your Essay and will return. Have to go for now.

May God Bless You and Your's
Dewayne

Doug Buckley 11 Mar 2009, 18:53

Hi Dewayne,
There are definitely different kinds of fear, and I agree that the fear the Lord should be a "reverence" built on understanding and respect, not irrationality and paranoia. This is the kind of fear that is compatible with love. Even when we arm ourselves with both the reverence and love of God, we will always fall short of his ways, and the example set forth in Christ. Thankfully, Christ picks up the slack and covers for us, because we struggle and work toward the standard that we have in him. When we fall, we pick ourselves up, and move forward with greater determination.

Many false teachers use "fear tactics" to control and manipulate people, and scare them deeper into their clutches. They want nothing more than for people to become emotionally dependent on them and their organizations, because this power makes them feel good. However, this is not a genuine fear of the Lord, based on a relationship with God. These ones have not built on the Rock that is Christ, and being unsteady, they indulge themselves in all kinds of sin when they think no one is looking. They're real good at conning each other, and even themselves, but no one can con God. - God Bless,
Doug Buckley

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