Fear GOD
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
Fearing GOD is often mentioned in the Bible and referred to and spoken of; but ‘fear’ in this sense does not mean to be afraid; but to revere, obey, respect, honour, and glorify GOD and HIS Name, which leads to doing everything GOD’s way and following GOD’s principles. This ‘fear’ is to hold GOD in awesome respect, respectful awe, and reverence.
The other type of fear which is being frightened, worried, or stressed, is not meant at all in relationship to GOD. It is the opposite of faith, and leads to stress, and damages health. It is said that this kind of fear is sinful because it is lack of trust in GOD, and creates obstacles and blockages, not a loving relationship. The only way to overcome it is to confront it for what it is, and draw on GOD’s strength.
Isaiah 41:10 ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your GOD. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand.’
Awesome respectful fear for GOD, engenders love and faith, and a bridge to forever.
Psalm 2:11 ‘Serve the LORD with fear (awesome respect) and rejoice with trembling.’
Psalm 12:1 ‘Praise the LORD. Blessed is the person who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in HIS commands.’
Psalm 34:7 & 9 ‘The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear HIM, and HE delivers them. Fear the LORD, you His saints (true followers), for those who fear HIM lack nothing.’
Psalm 112:1-10 ‘Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in HIS commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken, they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honour. The wicked will see and be saved, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.’
In the following, and similar contexts, ‘fear’ means ‘awesome respect’ and ‘respectful awe.’
Psalm 128:1 ‘Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in HIS ways.’
Psalm 145:19 ‘HE fulfils the desire of those who fear HIM; for HE hears their cry and saves them.’
Job 28:28 ‘And HE (GOD) said to mankind, “The fear of the LORD - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
Proverbs 1:7 ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.’
Proverbs 8:13 ‘To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech.’
Proverbs 9:10 ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’
Proverbs 14:2 ‘Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise HIM are devious in their ways.’
Proverbs 14:26-27 ‘Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.’
Proverbs 15:16 ‘Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.’
Proverbs 15:33 ‘Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honour.’
Isaiah 41:10 ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your GOD. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with MY right hand.’
Romans 3:18 “There is no fear of GOD before their eyes.”This is referring to people who do not hold GOD in the right esteem; just as is said about a number of churches, and many ‘Christians’ today.
Philippians 2:12b ‘ - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.’
1 Peter 2:17 ‘Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear GOD, honour the king.’