Fear of the Lord

In this post, I want to address some of the major definitions and effects of the fear of the Lord.

First, I’ll take a moment to explain why I would think this is post-worthy. The more I dig deeper into the Word and consider what deters us from being all that we are made to be in Christ, the more I recognize that it often boils down to lies we believe. These insidious lies can be with us for so much of our lives that we don’t even realize they are there and as we try to grow, we might be struggling to fix some of the outward problems unsuccessfully because we haven’t resolved the root of our sin. I believe one of those fundamental places we can be hung up is understanding and applying the concept of the fear of the Lord.

So, what is the fear of the Lord?

Fear of the Lord is often defined as ‘respect,’ ‘reverence,’ or ‘awe’ which points us to an attitude of worship. One who fears the Lord in this manner rightly understands the relationship between God and man and this requires humility and a keen awareness that God’s thoughts and ways are above our understanding. This individual learns obedience by submitting to God’s discipline (sometimes in the form of training or instruction, not just ‘punishment’) and discovers the wisdom that accompanies faith in God, despite what we might see with our eyes that seems to contradict His truth, His character, and His promises. Believers who grow in their fear of the Lord likewise find themselves loving Him more and experience His peace and protection as they practice being still and quiet before Him.

1 Samuel 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.”

Psalm 34:7:“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

Proverbs 2:11: “Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

Proverbs 15:33: “The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Ecclesiastes 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 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.”