The Fear of The Lord
Proverbs 9:10
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
3 areas: What is it? What does it look like in my life? What are the benefits?
1. What is the fear of the Lord?
Luke 12:5
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.
Philippians 2:12
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 (phobos) and trembling (tromos)
phobos = alarm or fright
tromos = quaking with fear
Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission godly fear.
Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
A biblical fear of God understands how much God hates sin and fears His judgment on sinful behavior even in the life of the believer. It is a fear that does not turn people from God but draws people to God as they behold, His dazzling beauty, His holiness, His unfailing love, and His majestic splendor; all of which elicits a response of love, faith and worship.
2. What does a person need to do to fear God?
1st Cultivate the fear of God in your life
To fear God is to give Him the praise and worship He deserves.
To fear God is to obey Him no matter what it costs or whether or not it benefits you.
To fear God is to give Him every part of our lives.
To fear God is to honor and respect those in authority over us.
To fear God is to hate sin & refuse to compromise with the world.
To fear God is to love people like Jesus loves them.
To fear God is to share the Gospel with people.
To fear God is depart from evil in every sense – in our thoughts, our words and our actions.
To fear God is to refuse to lie or speak deceitfully.
To fear God is to give our full attention to His Word.
To fear God is to make what is important to Him, important to us.
2nd Consider the eternal consequences of living a spiritually careless life
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'
3rd Consecrate yourself
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial (devil)? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
4th Clear conscience
Hebrews 10:22 NIV
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience* and having our bodies washed with pure water.
*ESV: with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
5th Sensitivity to God
Ephesians 4:30-32
And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. (ESV: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit.
3. What are the benefits of the fear of the Lord?
1st Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
2nd Friendship with God
Psalm 25:14
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.
3rd Protection
Psalm 33:18
But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.
4th Security
Proverbs 14:26
Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
5th Provision
Psalm 34:9
Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear
him will have all they need.
6th Knowledge
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...
