Lots of Controversy on What the Fear of the Lord Means…
“By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.” -Prov 16:6 (ESV)
What does the Bible say about the fear of the Lord? Many say it only means the high degree of respect and reverence for the Lord and they are correct but that’s not all. Let’s have a look at how God’s word defines the fear of the Lord. Consider Prov 2…
“My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2- Make your ear attentive to wisdom; Incline your heart to understanding. 3- For if you cry out for insight, And raise your voice for understanding; 4- If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5- Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And discover the knowledge of God.” -Prov 2:1-5 (NASB)
Please read the text again and discover that to actually understand the fear of the Lord you must:
- Receive His words (in other words, read the Bible),
- Make our ears alert and attentive for His wisdom,
- Incline our hearts to understand,
- Cry out, in prayer, for insight or discernment,
- Raise our voices for understanding (speak out),
- Seek wisdom as you were searching for silver and hidden treasures (rich value).
So through these 6 things we can understand just what the fear of the Lord is exactly and then discover the knowledge of God. We must receive His words (Holy Bible) and make it the core of our lives and the engine of our faith. When we do this we will grow in the wisdom of God and understand just what the wisdom of these words mean.
When we cry out for discernment or insight, we cry out in a passionate plea from the depths of our heart to know and understand what these words mean and how to experience them. When we desire and obtain this wisdom to know and fear God, we will value it above all other things. Once these few verses become a part of our being, entwined in our hearts, mind, and soul then we will grasp the truth of the fear of the Lord.
Here are some other Scripture’s to help us discover that the fear of the Lord is:
– to hate evil – Prov 8:13
– the beginning of wisdom – Prov 9:10,
– the beginning of knowledge of God – Prov 1:7,
– the instruction of wisdom – Prov 15:33.
More verses that help us to understand the fear of the Lord and what it should mean in our lives…
Psalms 33:8 – Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Proverbs 14:27 – The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Psalms 86:11 – Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Luke 1:50 – And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Psalms 34:9 – O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Today’s churches teach the fear of the Lord means respect and reverence but as I said above that is not all as we have seen in all the verses above but it also carries another [terrifying] meaning that many of our so-called pastors or shepherds (some hirelings) of flocks, do not preach. And since the following are Jesus’ own words, we best take heed and ensure everyone knows the severity of the full meaning of this fear. Consider…
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” -Matt 10:28 (NKJV)
And…
“But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” – Luke 12:5 (KJV).
As you can see the fear of the Lord means several things, a deep respect, a sincere search of His words and a crippling fear that should shake the very foundation of our souls! So in conclusion, please don’t solely listen and base your faith on those who man the pulpit that either don’t want to offend people and/or don’t know the Gospel and a shepherd’s desire to save their sheep from an eternity in hell. For you see and please remember …
“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” – Heb 10:31 (NASB)
-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman
GLORY TO GOD!
