A frequent control given to God's people in the OT is to "fear God" or "fear the Lord." It'due south important that nosotros understand what this command means for Christ's followers today. But as nosotros truly fear the Lord volition we be freed from all destructive and satanic fears. By fearing God, nosotros can avert being trapped by the natural pull toward going our own style, defying God and giving in to the inviting ways of immoral beliefs.

This is an excerpt adjusted from the Fire Report Bible Notes.

"These are the commands, the decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you lot to detect in the land that y'all are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children later them may fear the Lord your God every bit long as you alive by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and then that you may relish long life." — Deuteronomy half dozen:one-2

What does it Mean to FEAR God? The wide control to "fear the Lord" involves agreement several things about a laic's human relationship with God.

ONE: GOD IS LOVING & JUST

Kickoff of all, nosotros must recognize that God is loving, merciful and forgiving; but He too is holy, just and righteous. Knowing God and understanding His character (cf. Pr 2:5) means accepting the fact that His justice and holiness (i.due east., purity, perfection, completeness of character and separation from evil) cause Him to judge sin. In this sense, fearing the Lord is to capeesh His character.

TWO: Fearfulness OF THE LORD CAN PRODUCE AWE

Fearing the Lord ways to be in reverent awe of His holiness, to give Him complete reverence and to honor Him every bit the God of great celebrity, majesty, purity and ability. For example, when God revealed Himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai through "thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet smash," they all "trembled" in fear (Ex xix:sixteen) considering of His great power. They even begged Moses to deliver God's message to them then they would not have to encounter God Himself (Ex 20:xviii-nineteen; Dt 5:22-27). Also, when the psalm writer reflects on God as Creator, he says: "Let all the earth fear the Lord; permit all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to exist; He commanded, and it stood firm" (Ps 33:viii-9).

THREE: Fright OF THE LORD CAN PRODUCE FAITH

True fear of the Lord causes believers to place their organized religion and trust in Him alone for salvation. For example, after the Israelites crossed through the Ruby-red Sea on dry ground and saw how God destroyed the Egyptian army who came after them, they "feared the Lord and put their trust in Him". The psalmist encourages all who fearfulness the Lord to "trust in the Lord–He is their assistance and shield" (Ps 115:11). In other words, fearing God produces confidence, hope and trust in Him, which are necessary when nosotros are looking to God for mercy, forgiveness (Lk 1:50; cf. Ps 103:eleven; 130:4) and spiritual salvation (Ps 85:9). Here, fearing God ways to be moved to conventionalities and trust.

FOUR: GOD IS Angry Almost SIN

Finally, to fear God involves recognizing that He is aroused nearly sin and has the power to punish those who stand arrogantly against Him and interruption His laws (cf. Ps 76:7-8). When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they were afraid and tried to hibernate from God's presence (Ge 3:8-10). Moses experienced this aspect of the fright of God when he spent xl days and nights praying for the sinful Israelites: "I feared the anger and wrath of the Lord, for He was aroused enough with you to destroy you" (Dt 9:19). In the NT, the author of Hebrews acknowledges God'due south coming vengeance and judgment, and so writes: "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31). This blazon of fear is to be agape, peculiarly if yous are defenseless on the wrong side of God'due south justice.

WHY Fearfulness GOD?

The reasons for fearing God are found in the different meanings of the "fear of the Lord," every bit described above. Although at that place are different types of fear, function of our respect and awe is in the noesis of his wrath and ability. It's all connected.

  • We should exist in awe of Him because of His matchless power as the Creator of all things and all people (Ps 33:6-9; 96:iv-5; Jnh 1:ix).
  • In add-on, the amazing ability that He continues to exercise over his cosmos–including humankind–is cause for fearing God (Ex 20:18-20; Ecc 3:14; Jnh 1:eleven-16; Mk 4:39-41).
  • When we truly realize God'southward holiness (i.east., His purity, perfection and separation from evil), the normal response of the human spirit is to fear Him (Rev xv:iv).
  • Anyone who sees or experiences a manifestation (i.e., a visible or physical sign or demonstration) of God's glory cannot assistance but become afraid (Mt 17:one-eight).
  • The continual blessings nosotros receive from God, specially the forgiveness of our sins (Ps 130:4), should lead us to fear and dear Him (1Sa 12:24; Ps 34:9; 67:vii).
  • Higher up all, the fact that the Lord is a God of justice who will guess the entire human race should be reason plenty to produce a godly fear (Dt 17:12-13; Isa 59:eighteen-xix; Mal three:5; Heb 10:26-31). It is a sobering and absolute truth that God is constantly aware of our actions and motives, both good and bad, and that we will be held accountable for those actions, both now and on the day of our personal judgment.

How will fearing God affect our lives? The fear of the Lord is far more than a Biblical teaching, principle or idea. It is relevant to our daily lives in many means. Here are 6 to go started:

1. WE BECOME OBEDIENT

First, if we truly fear the Lord, nosotros volition obey His commands, live according to His Word and say "No" to sin. One reason why God inspired fear in the Israelites at Mount Sinai was and so that they might learn to avoid and reject sin and to obey his police force (Ex 20:20). In his terminal address to the Israelites, Moses repeatedly connected fearing God to serving and obeying Him (east.chiliad., Dt five:29; 6:two, 24; 8:6; 10:12; xiii:four; 17:xix; 31:12).

According to the psalm writer, fearing God is equal to delighting in His commands (Ps 112:1) and following the principles of His constabulary (Ps 119:63).

Solomon taught that "through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil" (Pr 16:half-dozen; cf. 8:13). In Ecclesiastes, the whole duty of the human race is summarized by two simple requirements: "Fright God and go along His commandments" (Ecc 12:thirteen). On the contrary, anyone who is content to live wickedly or defy God does so considering "there is no fright of God before his optics" (Ps 36:ane-4).

2. Nosotros TEACH OUR CHILDREN

Non only should the fear of the Lord bear on individual lives, but information technology should also affect families. God instructs His followers to teach their children to fearfulness Him by training them to hate sin and to love God's commands (Dt 4:10; 6:one-2, 6-nine). The Bible often states that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps 111:10; Pr 9:10; cf. Task 28:28; Pr i:7). A Christian'south basic goal for his or her children should be that they learn to live by God's principles of wisdom (Pr 1:one-6). Educational activity them to fear the Lord is a disquisitional first pace.

3. We Abound IN SANCTIFICATION

The fear of the Lord has a sanctifying (i.e., purifying, separating from sin, spiritually maturing) event on God's people, just as applying the truth of God's Word does (Jn 17:17). Information technology compels us to detest sin and avoid evil (Pr 3:vii; 8:xiii; 16:half dozen). It causes us to be careful in what we say (Pr ten:xix; Ecc v:2, 6-7). It protects united states of america from weakening our consciences and our moral sensitivity toward what is right. The fear of the Lord has a spiritually cleansing, purifying and restoring effect that tin can last forever (Ps 19:ix).

4. WE WORSHIP WHOLE-HEARTEDLY

The holy and reverent fear of the Lord motivates God'due south people to worship Him with their whole being. People who truly fear God will praise and honor Him as Lord of all (Ps 22:23). David said that a worshiping congregation is the same equally "those who fear" God (Ps 22:25). At the end of history, when the angel who proclaims the eternal gospel–the "good news" about Jesus Christ–calls everyone on earth to fear God, he immediately adds, "and give Him celebrity … Worship Him who made the heavens, and globe, the sea and the springs of water" (Rev 14:6-7).

5. In that location IS A PROMISED REWARD

God has promised to advantage all those who fear Him. "Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life" (Pr 22:4). Other promised rewards include security and protection from death (Pr 14:26-27), provisions for daily needs (Ps 34:9; 111:5) and a long life (Pr ten:27). Those who live in reverent awe of God know that "information technology volition become meliorate with God-fearing men," regardless of what happens in the earth around them (Ecc 8:12-13).

vi. WE Gain A Humble Conviction

Finally, fearing God brings a apprehensive conviction and overwhelming spiritual comfort. The NT directly links the fright of the Lord with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). Those who do not fear God will have little or no sense of his presence and protection. Yet, those who fear God and obey his Give-and-take will experience a deep sense of spiritual security and the anointing (i.e., empowering) of the Holy Spirit. They can be certain that God ultimately will "deliver them from death" (Ps 33:xviii-xix).

1 John 4:xviii states, "There is no fearfulness in dear. But perfect love drives out fear, considering fright has to do with punishment. The 1 who fears is non made perfect in love". Although this verse may seem contrary to the higher up information, it'southward all about perspective; when we are filled with and washed over by God'southward perfect love, we do non need to be agape of His wrath.

FIRE BIBLE Written report NOTES

fire bible study notes fear of the Lord

This blog is adapted from the Fire Bible Study Notes. Learn more about this resource and watch how it works in the Olive Tree Bible App by visiting our website.

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