How often I have written about the fear of the Lord! The concept still grabs me!

The fear of the Lord or lack underpins all our responses to His dealings with us. It’s a huge subject but one worthy of our constant attention and continued exploration.

“The fear of the Lord” is defined in different ways in Scripture, what it is, what its benefits are, how we learn to fear God, and to where the fear of the Lord leads us. From cover to cover, the Bible advocates the fear of the Lord as the source of wisdom and of life itself.

Proverbs 19:23 NLT
[23″Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.”

For me, a simple definition is in three words, TAKING GOD SERIOUSLY. When we read Paul’s diagnosis of the cause of all the wickedness of ungodly people he concludes with…

Romans 3:18 NLT
[18] “They have no fear of God at all.”

Worldly people do not take God seriously.

Therefore, how we regard God, His Word, and His requirements will determine both the course and the destiny of our lives. There is no such thing as casual or partial fear of the Lord. It’s all or nothing. We either reverence Him and hold Him in such awe and high regard that we accept His authority without question, or we don’t.

A basic attitude of abhorrence towards sin is the starting point in our journey to fear the Lord.

Proverbs 8:13 NLT
[13] “All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”

Why should we hate evil?

Habakkuk 1:13 NLT
[13]”But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil.”

God hates evil. He Himself is utterly separate from sin. Sin ruins us and separates us from God. To be holy means that we stand with God in His hatred of anything that contradicts who He is and blocks our approach to Him.

If we don’t hate evil in every shape or form, it simply means that we don’t really believe that God is holy, and that, without holiness no-one will see the Lord.

1 Peter 1:15-16 NLT
[15]”But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. [16] For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Hebrews 12:14 NLT
[14] “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

When we have secured a right attitude in our hearts towards sin, the next step is to soak our minds and hearts in the life of Jesus since He is the embodiment of God’s wisdom. We need wisdom to live in a way that preserves us from the ravages of sin.

Proverbs 9:10 NLT
[10]”Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

If we want to live our lives wisely, we must look at Jesus. The fear of the Lord was not only the foundation of His life but His delight.

Isaiah 11:1-3a NIV
[1]”A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

[2] The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— [3] and he will delight in the fear of the Lord….”

In union with Jesus by faith, we have access to the source of all God’s wisdom, through Jesus, who is the key.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT
[30]”God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.”

Colossians 2:2-3 NLT
[2] “I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. [3] In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

We have access to all the ramifications of fearing God when we approach Him with an attitude that honours Him above everyone and everything, takes Him seriously, obeys Him implicitly, and trusts Him fully.

Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV
[5]” The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. [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.”

What we need more than the “stuff” worldly people crave, is the knowledge and wisdom to live righteously that pleases God and prepares us for eternity. When we watch and listen to Jesus, hear and obey the Holy Spirit, and walk in the truth, fearing the Lord, we will stay in track for our eternal home.

The steps to the fear of the Lord are simple.

Matthew 11:29 NLT
[29] “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

How can we know that we are living in the fear of the Lord? We will know by our response to God’s tests.

“In school, you’re taught the lesson, then given a test.
In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. ” (quote from Tom Bodett, sourced from Pinterest)

The best example is Abraham’s story in Genesis 22. God tested him by asking him to sacrifice his son. Abraham’s unquestioning obedience earned him this conclusion…

Genesis 22:12 NLT
[12] “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

In the end, whether we fear God or not is judged by one criterion, obedience to His instructions.

Psalms 34:9, 11-14 NLT
[9] “Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need…
[11] Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. [12] Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? [13] Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! [14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”

Let pray David’s pray with a sincere desire to live daily in the fear of the Lord.

Psalms 86:11 NLT
[11] “Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you (fear your name).