A question was recently posed to me: Does “fear the Lord” mean we are to be scared of Him? Deuteronomy 6:13 says to fear the Lord your God and serve Him only. Psalm 19:9 says the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. Psalm 34:7 says the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him. 2 Chronicles 19:9-10 “… you must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord … you are to warn not to sin against the Lord.” Proverbs 8:13 says “to fear the Lord is to hate evil.” And Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Do we fear the Lord? Are we scared of Him? Should we be scared of Him?
God often uses the comparison of a father and child to paint a picture of His relationship with us. Just like there is a healthy fear between parent and child – a respect for them and their authority over us as our parents, there is also a healthy fear in our relationship with God, an even greater respect and reverence for Him – our Creator and the one Sovereign Lord over all. And just like we trust that our parents will lead us right, teach us right, and love us unconditionally, we trust that God will be faithful and do the same – which He has promised to do. The flip side is that we are to obey. And we should be scared when we don’t obey; just because He is a loving God doesn’t mean there are no consequences.
As a believer in Jesus, the consequences are not a forever punishment, but rather a discipline to teach us and help us grow, for our good and so our lives are a testimony of Jesus. 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” Those who love the Lord and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ have no reason to fear God’s judgment because we are saved by grace, and His love confirms our salvation. But for those who choose to have nothing to do with God and go their own way, there is a forever punishment. Luke 12:4-5 (Jesus speaking) “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 your body has been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”
Do we fear the Lord? Should we be scared?
A friend once told me it’s important to counter fear with knowledge. Find the truth about that someone or something. We may find there is nothing to be afraid of, or there is something to be afraid of but now we better understand what we should / should not do. In Deuteronomy 31:9-13 Moses is giving God’s law to the leaders of Israel, commanding them that the law needs to be read to the people, “so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord, and their children must also hear it and learn to fear the Lord.” It is a healthy fear that leads us to obey. And being scared of Him can move us toward that healthy fear, toward taking a closer look at Him and seeking Him. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 Expect to find Him. Seeking Him leads to understanding, teaches us to fear Him, and brings us into spiritual maturity.
Do we fear God? Are we scared of Him? Should we be scared of Him? I challenge you to do your own study in God’s Word – always in context, seeking Him while He may be found Isaiah 55:6.