Genesis

22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Exodus 1:21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 14:31 And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. 20:18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."

Deut. 31:12 Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Psalm 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling . Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Luke 12:4-5 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Leviticus 19:14 "'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord. 25:17 Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! 6:1,2 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 6:13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 6:24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 9:19 I feared the anger and wrath of the Lord, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the Lord listened to me.

How do you define fear?

What do you think Fear of the Lord means?

10:12-13 And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
10:20 Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 31:12 Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. 31:13 Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." Joshua 4:23,24 For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." 24:14 "Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 1Samuel 12:14,15 If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God--good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

What synonyms of fear do you think of when you think of fear of the Lord?

Does fearing the Lord make you uncomfortable?

Do you feel conflict between fearing God and loving God?

Make a mental list of some of the ways you relate to God and rank them. Where does fear rank on that list? Do you think you relate to God in the way He wants you to relate to Him?

Lets skim the 120+ passages related to Fear of God

12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
2Samuel 23:3-4 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'

1Chronicles 16:25-26 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 2Chronicles 17:9,10 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.

60:4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. 61:5 For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 65:8 Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

76:7-8 You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet 76:11-12 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth. 85:9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

20:29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.
Nehemiah 5:9 So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? Job

86:11Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
89:7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. 90:11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 96:4-5 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
1:8-9 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 2:3 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." 23:13-15 "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.

103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 103:17-18 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 111:5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. 112:1-2 Praise the Lord. [b] Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 115:11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield. 115:13 he will bless those who fear the Lord-- small and great alike.

28:28 And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"
Psalms 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. 15:1-4 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, ... who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, 19:9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. 22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 25:12-14 Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

119:120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

128:1-4 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 130:3-4 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. 145:19-20 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 147:11 the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 1:29-31 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.
33:8-9 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 33:18-19 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 34:7-11 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 36:1-2 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.

40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
52:5-7 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!" 55:18-19 He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them - men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.

8:13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 14:2 He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him. 14:16 A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. 14:26-27 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
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15:33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour.

16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble 15:33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour. 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble 22:4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. 23:17-18 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 24:21-22 Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Ecclesiastes

Jonah 1:15-16 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Zephaniah 3:7 I said to the city, 'Surely you will fear me and accept correction!' Then her dwelling would not be cut off, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did. Malachi 1:14 For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations. 3:5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the Lord Almighty. Luke

1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
8:24-25 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." 12:4-5 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? Acts 7:30-32 "After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. 9:31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace.

7:16-18 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
8:12-13 Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Isaiah

8:12-13 Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,
11:2-3 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord -- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. 50:10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. 59:19 From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. Jeremiah

It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 2Corinthians 5:11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Phillipians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Hebrews

5:22-24 Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves
may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.' 26:19 Did not Hezekiah fear the Lord and seek his favor? And did not the Lord relent, so that he did not bring the disaster he pronounced against them? 32:39-40 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. Daniel 6:26-27 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.
12:21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." 1Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." Revelation 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the
earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice ,

"Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
15:4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

Some people in the Bible displayed fear upon being in Gods presence
Gen 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Isa 6:5 Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I Has your idea about the fear of God changed after seeing all these verses? If so, how? If not, how were your original ideas confirmed?

live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.
Judges 13:22 - We are doomed to die! he said to his wife. We have seen God! Ezekiel 1:28 - Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. Daniel 8:15-18 - While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. And I heard a mans voice from the Ulai calling, Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision. As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. Son of man, he said to me, understand that the vision concerns the time of the end. While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet. Luke 1:11-12- Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. Luke 2:0 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Jonah 1:3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. John 18:4-6 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, Who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth, they replied. I am he, Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. Matthew 17:5-6 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. Acts 9:3-5 - As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

Original Hebrew and Greek words for fear: In Hebrew, YIRAH (Jonah 1:16, Psalm 90:11), YARE (Jer 5:22, Mal 3:16) and PACHAD (Job 3:25, Psalm 119:120) mean reverent fear, terror, or dread normally translated simply fear. There are other Hebrew words for mere respect, reverence or honor, such as KABAD (Ex 20:12). In Greek fear/terror is PHOBO (Mat 28:4, 1 Peter 2:17c), where reverence or honor is TIMAO (1 Peter 2:17a/d). With there being specific words for reverence/honor, why do you think the Hebrew and Greek words for fear are most often used when referring to the fear of God? Do you think we try to water down the concept of fear of the Lord to make it more acceptable to us and others?

Look at the reaction of people who came in contact with Gods presence (some examples are included on the next page).

How did they react? What does this make you feel about the fear of God? When people came in contact with this God, it didnt look like just a respect or an aweit sure appears that they are terrified. Francis Chan What terrifies you? Are you terrified of God? Do you want to be terrified of God? Imagine you saw God.todayright now. Would you respond to God as Isaiah did (Isaiah 6:5) or as John did (Revelation 1:17)? The reality is, whoever you are, the moment you see God, you are going to fear Him. Francis Chan Do you believe this?

The other nations, idols, demons, the whole earth trembles before God
Luke 8:27-28 - When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, dont torture me! Judges 5:5 The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel. Psalm 68:8- the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. Isa 19:1 A prophecy against Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear. Jer 5:22 Should you not fear me? declares the LORD. Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.

Many people brush off the concept of fear by defining it simply as reverence or awe. Perhaps we should avoid the temptation to think that fearing god is a primitive form of piety or a symptom of immature faith. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God, which these people feared, is also to be greatly feared today. We are to fear God and depart from evil.

Fear of the Lord involves the following elements: Reverence and Awe Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of Him God deserves our reverent worship and desires our close fellowship. No one else is worthy.

God is the only thing worthy of our fear. If we fear anything other than God, we are deceived. Satan wants the fear due God.
Isaiah 8:12-13 (NV) Do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. But look what God does with our fears in the rest of the Isaiah and Revelation passages:
5 Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty. 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for . (Isa 6:5-7) 17 When

Hatred of Evil Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. Psalm 34:14-15 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Turn away from evil, and do good, seek peace and pursue it.

Turning from evil should lead to doing good.

Obedience to God Deuteronomy 17:19 That he may learn to fear the Lord his God by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes.

I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. (Rev 1:17)
How did God calm Isaiahs fears? How did Jesus calm Johns fears? How does God calm your fears?

What should be our motivation in obeying God? Some people obey because they fear the divine wrath if they dont. Do you think this an appropriate fear and avenue for obedience?
Though it may cause one to obey Gods commandments for a while, fear of punishment is not the highest motivation for serving God. It may even contain some hidden selfishness: I serve God because if I dont Hell do something to me which I will find inconvenient. So serving and obeying God is in my best interest! Do you fall into this trap? Some scriptures say obedience comes from the fear of God and others from the love of God. The covenant that began with Abraham and fulfilled in Christ both casts out and encourages fear. there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18) Yet even Abraham, who in his faithfulness is the father of all believers (Romans 4:16), is commended or maturing into proper fear of God (Genesis 22:12 Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son). Far from being opposites, love for God and holy fear are complementary. If we love God we must reverence and worship His awesome Divinity. The more we love Him the more we will hate that which is contrary to God, namely evil and sin, and fear displeasing Him by committing sin. With the help of Gods grace, we will obey his righteous commandments out of love and fear for our Heavenly father.

I am this amazing God that you ought to fear, but once you get to that point, you dont have to fear Me. Francis Chan
Do you believe God is for you?

Then we would see, okay, now I know why I need to fear this God. And now I dont want to just flippantly disobey His commands anymore. I want to take Him seriously, but not just thatit would change our whole mindset, cause wed realize, now that Ive seen Him, I realize theres nothing else to fear
Without the fear of the Lord, youre not gonna understand why you should follow Jesus. Without a proper understanding of the fear of the Lord, we wouldnt understand the power thats available to us through the Holy Spirit God wants you to fear Him, because thats gonna lead you to a live that youve never had, and its a better lifeits a secure lifeits a life that we were created for. Francis Chan

Is that the kind of life you want to live? What are you willing to do to have that life? What will you do today to begin to seek that kind of life?

Notes:

Francis Chan, BASIC series: Fear God Personal Reflection Guide, 2010. What Does it Mean to Fear God?, www.so4j.com/fear-god Sermons from the New Testament Walking in the Fear of the Lord, www.executableoutlines.com The Fear of God, Acts 17:11 Bible Studies, www.acts17-11.com Fear of the Lord, Christian Reflections: A Series in Faith & Ethics, Robert Kruschwitz & Baylor University Center for Christian Ethics The Fear of the Lord, Rosemarie Scott