What Does It Mean to Fear God_ _ Christian Bible Studies
Content
What does it mean to fear God? | Christian Bible Studies
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spiritualli...
Our Ministry
Christianity Today
Leadership Journal
Church Law & Tax
Discipleship
Subscribe
Search
enter here Bible Studies Articles & Extras
Subscribe now Give a gift
Spiritual Life
Browse
New Free Samples Top Sellers Multi-Session Studies Single-Session Studies Spiritual Formation Booklets Christianity Today Studies eBooks Home > Christian Bible Studies > Answers to Bible Questions > Spiritual Life
Home | Store | Contact Us
Email this page Bookmark this page
Sign up for our free newsletter (All fields required.): your full name your email your zip code
Printer version RSS Feeds share this page
What does it mean to fear God?
JoHannah Reardon | posted 2/19/2013 1 of 1 RSS Feed | Help
Help and Info
Customer Support About Us Compare Reprint Information Guidelines for Writers
Like
111 people like this. Sign Up to see what your friends like.
Tweet
9
Answers to Bible Questions Featured Articles Quizzes Top 10 Articles Also from Christianity Today
Small Groups Download: Effectively Confront Leaders Download: Daniel: Faithful in All Circumstances Download: Bible Study Basics: Philippians Today's Christian Woman Galatians 5:16 Mind Games TCW Marriage Tip #4
more sites…
I often hear people explain the fear of the Lord as a mere respect or reverence. But the Bible uses the word fear at least 300 times in reference to God, so we make a mistake when we downplay it. The subject becomes even more mysterious when we read something like 1 John 4:18 that says that "perfect love expels all fear." So how do we marry this dichotomy? How can we fear God while he expels all fear? Scripture is full of examples of how fearing God is a positive rather than a negative thing. For example in Genesis 42:18, Joseph wins his brothers' trust when he declares he is a God-fearing man. It was because the midwives feared God that they obeyed him instead of the authorities by sparing the Hebrew babies (Exodus 1:17). Pharaoh brought disaster on his nation because he did not fear God (Exodus 9:29-31). Moses chose leaders to help him on the basis that they feared God and wouldn't take bribes (Exodus 18:21) and told the Hebrews that God met with them in a terrifying display of his power so that they wouldn't sin (Exodus 20:20). The Mosaic Law cites fear of God as a reason to treat the disabled and elderly well (Leviticus 19:14, 32). And lest you think this is only an Old Testament idea, note that Jesus states this stronger than anyone when he says, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). And Paul says to work toward complete holiness because we fear God (2 Corinthians 7:1). So it's clear from these passages, that fearing God is good because it saves us from caving into our own sinful nature. That's why hearing someone is God-fearing actually makes us trust that person more. If they fear God, they are more likely to keep their word and treat others with kindness. In fact, Romans 3, a classic chapter on sin, says that our chief sin is that we "have no fear of God at all" (Romans 3:18). So how does fear of God, who is perfect love, take away fear? William D. Eisenhower puts it this way in his article 'Fearing God" in Christianity Today: Unfortunately, many of us presume that the world is the ultimate threat and that God's function is to offset it. How different this is from the biblical position that God is far scarier than the world …. When we assume that the world is the ultimate threat, we give it unwarranted power, for in truth, the world's threats are temporary. When we expect God to balance the stress of the world, we reduce him to the world's equal …. As I walk with the Lord, I discover that God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions, so he may reveal the truth that sets me free. He casts me down, only to lift me up again. He sits in judgment of my sin, but forgives me nevertheless. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but love from the Lord is its completion. And, of course, the ultimate example of fear and perfect love working together is Jesus Christ. He warned us at every turn to fear God, not men—and he confirmed that in everything about his life and death. He spoke lovingly but frankly to all and didn't mince words when people needed to face their sin and repent. But he also demonstrated love beyond human understanding when he lived out his words, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13)." With love like that, what is left to fear but God? JoHannah Reardon is a former managing editor of christianbiblestudies.com. She blogs at JoHannahReardon.com and is the author of seven fictional books and a family devotional guide.
Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today International/ChristianBibleStudies.com. Click here for reprint information. 1 of 1 share this page God Revealed: Trusting and Understanding the Bible Free digital magazine $0.00
Featured Items
The Origins Debate CT eBooks Now: $4.99
1 of 2
29/10/2013 10:00
What does it mean to fear God? | Christian Bible Studies
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spiritualli...
Like
111 people like this. Sign Up to see what your friends like.
Tweet
9
Email this page Bookmark this page RSS Feeds Back to top
Free Newsletters
Sign up for our newsletters: Christian Bible Studies (weekly) Small Groups (weekly)
Christian Bible Studies
Like 19,170 people like Christian Bible Studies.
Building Church Leaders (weekly) full name your email zip code more newsletters GO
Facebook social plugin
Bob Fu Is Alive and Thriving
The exiled Chinese Christian’s autobiography gives hope for all who suffer persecution for their faith.
"Millennials Are Fact-checking Your Sermons" Where Does a Christian Belong on Halloween?
Faithful participation in our communities is a powerful church value.
Download: Effectively Confront Leaders
Learn how to address issues in a healthy, biblical way.
Sara Groves: 'Music is My Medicine'
How this 'technically non-proficient' artist overcame defeat to create music—and a marriage that endures
Bestseller Best Practices
The NavPress–Tyndale alliance could signal a new publishing normal.
Download: Daniel: Faithful in All Circumstances
This 6-session study walks through Daniel's life and calls us to trust and obey God.
Galatians 5:16 Mind Games
What my journey through a cancer diagnosis taught me about trusting God
Lamenting My Prejudice Against Beautiful Women
When did I absorb the belief that being feminine means being shallow?
Rethinking Success
What happens when God doesn't share your definition of ministry success?
Download: Bible Study Basics: Philippians
Instructions on living a life united with Christ
Books & Culture Building Church Leaders Christian Bible Studies Christian College Guide
Christian History Christianity Today magazine Christianity Today eBooks Christianity Today Library
Church Law & Tax Report Church Finance Today Ignite Your Faith Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity Out of Ur Preaching Today
Seminary/Grad School Guide Small Groups Today's Christian Woman
© 2013 Christianity Today About Our Ministry | Blog | Donate | Careers | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertise | Ad Choices
2 of 2
29/10/2013 10:00
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spiritualli...
Our Ministry
Christianity Today
Leadership Journal
Church Law & Tax
Discipleship
Subscribe
Search
enter here Bible Studies Articles & Extras
Subscribe now Give a gift
Spiritual Life
Browse
New Free Samples Top Sellers Multi-Session Studies Single-Session Studies Spiritual Formation Booklets Christianity Today Studies eBooks Home > Christian Bible Studies > Answers to Bible Questions > Spiritual Life
Home | Store | Contact Us
Email this page Bookmark this page
Sign up for our free newsletter (All fields required.): your full name your email your zip code
Printer version RSS Feeds share this page
What does it mean to fear God?
JoHannah Reardon | posted 2/19/2013 1 of 1 RSS Feed | Help
Help and Info
Customer Support About Us Compare Reprint Information Guidelines for Writers
Like
111 people like this. Sign Up to see what your friends like.
Tweet
9
Answers to Bible Questions Featured Articles Quizzes Top 10 Articles Also from Christianity Today
Small Groups Download: Effectively Confront Leaders Download: Daniel: Faithful in All Circumstances Download: Bible Study Basics: Philippians Today's Christian Woman Galatians 5:16 Mind Games TCW Marriage Tip #4
more sites…
I often hear people explain the fear of the Lord as a mere respect or reverence. But the Bible uses the word fear at least 300 times in reference to God, so we make a mistake when we downplay it. The subject becomes even more mysterious when we read something like 1 John 4:18 that says that "perfect love expels all fear." So how do we marry this dichotomy? How can we fear God while he expels all fear? Scripture is full of examples of how fearing God is a positive rather than a negative thing. For example in Genesis 42:18, Joseph wins his brothers' trust when he declares he is a God-fearing man. It was because the midwives feared God that they obeyed him instead of the authorities by sparing the Hebrew babies (Exodus 1:17). Pharaoh brought disaster on his nation because he did not fear God (Exodus 9:29-31). Moses chose leaders to help him on the basis that they feared God and wouldn't take bribes (Exodus 18:21) and told the Hebrews that God met with them in a terrifying display of his power so that they wouldn't sin (Exodus 20:20). The Mosaic Law cites fear of God as a reason to treat the disabled and elderly well (Leviticus 19:14, 32). And lest you think this is only an Old Testament idea, note that Jesus states this stronger than anyone when he says, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). And Paul says to work toward complete holiness because we fear God (2 Corinthians 7:1). So it's clear from these passages, that fearing God is good because it saves us from caving into our own sinful nature. That's why hearing someone is God-fearing actually makes us trust that person more. If they fear God, they are more likely to keep their word and treat others with kindness. In fact, Romans 3, a classic chapter on sin, says that our chief sin is that we "have no fear of God at all" (Romans 3:18). So how does fear of God, who is perfect love, take away fear? William D. Eisenhower puts it this way in his article 'Fearing God" in Christianity Today: Unfortunately, many of us presume that the world is the ultimate threat and that God's function is to offset it. How different this is from the biblical position that God is far scarier than the world …. When we assume that the world is the ultimate threat, we give it unwarranted power, for in truth, the world's threats are temporary. When we expect God to balance the stress of the world, we reduce him to the world's equal …. As I walk with the Lord, I discover that God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions, so he may reveal the truth that sets me free. He casts me down, only to lift me up again. He sits in judgment of my sin, but forgives me nevertheless. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but love from the Lord is its completion. And, of course, the ultimate example of fear and perfect love working together is Jesus Christ. He warned us at every turn to fear God, not men—and he confirmed that in everything about his life and death. He spoke lovingly but frankly to all and didn't mince words when people needed to face their sin and repent. But he also demonstrated love beyond human understanding when he lived out his words, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13)." With love like that, what is left to fear but God? JoHannah Reardon is a former managing editor of christianbiblestudies.com. She blogs at JoHannahReardon.com and is the author of seven fictional books and a family devotional guide.
Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today International/ChristianBibleStudies.com. Click here for reprint information. 1 of 1 share this page God Revealed: Trusting and Understanding the Bible Free digital magazine $0.00
Featured Items
The Origins Debate CT eBooks Now: $4.99
1 of 2
29/10/2013 10:00
What does it mean to fear God? | Christian Bible Studies
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spiritualli...
Like
111 people like this. Sign Up to see what your friends like.
Tweet
9
Email this page Bookmark this page RSS Feeds Back to top
Free Newsletters
Sign up for our newsletters: Christian Bible Studies (weekly) Small Groups (weekly)
Christian Bible Studies
Like 19,170 people like Christian Bible Studies.
Building Church Leaders (weekly) full name your email zip code more newsletters GO
Facebook social plugin
Bob Fu Is Alive and Thriving
The exiled Chinese Christian’s autobiography gives hope for all who suffer persecution for their faith.
"Millennials Are Fact-checking Your Sermons" Where Does a Christian Belong on Halloween?
Faithful participation in our communities is a powerful church value.
Download: Effectively Confront Leaders
Learn how to address issues in a healthy, biblical way.
Sara Groves: 'Music is My Medicine'
How this 'technically non-proficient' artist overcame defeat to create music—and a marriage that endures
Bestseller Best Practices
The NavPress–Tyndale alliance could signal a new publishing normal.
Download: Daniel: Faithful in All Circumstances
This 6-session study walks through Daniel's life and calls us to trust and obey God.
Galatians 5:16 Mind Games
What my journey through a cancer diagnosis taught me about trusting God
Lamenting My Prejudice Against Beautiful Women
When did I absorb the belief that being feminine means being shallow?
Rethinking Success
What happens when God doesn't share your definition of ministry success?
Download: Bible Study Basics: Philippians
Instructions on living a life united with Christ
Books & Culture Building Church Leaders Christian Bible Studies Christian College Guide
Christian History Christianity Today magazine Christianity Today eBooks Christianity Today Library
Church Law & Tax Report Church Finance Today Ignite Your Faith Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity Out of Ur Preaching Today
Seminary/Grad School Guide Small Groups Today's Christian Woman
© 2013 Christianity Today About Our Ministry | Blog | Donate | Careers | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertise | Ad Choices
2 of 2
29/10/2013 10:00
