Why Is The Fear Of The Lord Important To You?

First, let’s define what the fear of the Lord means.

What is the Fear of the Lord?

The fear of the Lord, for the believer, is having a reverence, awe, and deep respect for God’s words, power, and authority. The fear of the Lord doesn’t cause a believer to flee in fear – it leads the believer into loving Him.

So, we see the fear of the Lord isn’t terrifying for the believer. It isn’t the terrified, quaking fear. Instead, it brings reverence, awe, and deep respect for God into the believer’s life. Let’s break these down so we can understand their meaning.

1. Reverence for God

Reverence is a deeply felt honor and respect because of the Lord God’s awesome majesty and power. 

Reverence for God is best shown in the believer by a life of holiness. A life of obedience not only to God’s commands but also to His righteousness – His way of doing and being right.

2. Awe of God

“Awe” is defined as: a reverential state or condition of the mind and heart that results in a respectful fear or genuine wonder.

I experienced my greatest awe of God during a vacation at Lake Tahoe. I was 2800 feet above the lake with peaks around me rising to over 11, ooo feet. I sat and watched the sun rise over the lake. It was a wondrous experience that keeps me in awe of God to this day.

We need more awe in our life. The growing trend is to think of Jesus as our “good buddy” and God as only a good Father. Both are true. Yet, God is judgment, too. He doesn’t treat sin lightly.

He is also the Creator of all things and our miracle worker. All of this should create awe in us.

3. Deep respect for God

They define respect as a feeling of deep admiration for someone, or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

God has the abilities, qualities, and achievements that demand our respect. The number one way we show respect to another is by listening to them. God’s primary method of speaking to us is through His Word.

How can we respect what He says when we treat His Word and commandments so lightly? Too often, we treat God’s commandments as suggestions and not as commands.

The fear of the Lord recognizes two things:

1. God’s Word is Truth.

        John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (CSB)

2. God is righteous, so His way of doing things is always right.

       Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.” (CSB) 

       Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (CSB)

Let me give you my personal definition of righteousness as used in the above verses.

Righteousness is God’s way of doing and being right.

Now, what does the fear of the Lord provide for us?

 

The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Job 28:28 “He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.”

There is earthly wisdom that we gain here on earth. It may or may not agree with God’s wisdom. When we must choose, we should always choose God’s wisdom. This is because God is righteous. God’s way is the only way of doing and being right.

Let me give you an example of God’s wisdom vs. man’s wisdom:

There are many paths to wealth. There are many people in the world that can teach you how to be wealthy. Yet, when you look at how those people accomplished attaining their wealth, there always seems to be some sorrow attached to it.

Their wealth cost them something. Their peace, their marriage, their family, their enjoyment in life, or something.

God’s path to wealth doesn’t do that. Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (NKJV) God’s path to wealth is the only right way because it doesn’t have the cost of sorrow added to it.

What is Wisdom?

The simplest definition of wisdom: Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge.

 

Do you want to know more about wisdom and its benefits? Here is my full article about wisdom:

Wisdom is Supreme! Why is Wisdom the Principal Thing?

 

 

Long ago I was taught: 

Knowledge is memorizing facts. Understanding is comprehending the significance of those facts. And wisdom is putting them into practice in my life.

You can have a head full of knowledge, and there are many that do, but if you are unable to comprehend that knowledge, what good is it? And if you can’t apply that knowledge, that knowledge is useless.

It is wisdom that gives us comprehension and the ability to apply that knowledge. Wisdom will guide us into living our life the way God intends us to live.

 

The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” 

Proverbs 1:1-7 talks about the importance of God’s instruction. That is what Solomon’s proverbs are: instructions from God.

The fear of the Lord recognizes that God’s Words are truth and that His way is the only right way. Therefore, the fear of the Lord causes us to seek God’s knowledge. Seeking God’s knowledge is the beginning of us finding true knowledge.

 

The Fear of the Lord Prolongs Your Life

Proverbs 10:27 “The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” 

Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.”  

As the fear of the Lord draws us deeper into God’s teachings, and as we change our lifestyle to fit what His Word says, our days here on earth will are prolonged. Why does this happen?

Our life is prolonged because of the changes produced in our life when we follow God’s teachings. Stress is replaced with peace. Unhappiness is replaced by joy. Fear is replaced by faith. 

 

The Fear of the Lord Brings Wealth, Honor and Life

Proverbs 22:4 “Humility, the fear of the Lord, results in wealth, honor, and life.”  

Notice this verse defines humility as the fear of the Lord. This is a very precise definition of humility.

Humility is completely trusting God and following His will. It also includes fearing the consequences of neglecting God’s commands. Humility causes us to aim our purpose towards righteousness – God’s way of doing and being right.

One result of the fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. To receive this, we need to humble ourselves before God. We need to acknowledge that His way is always best.

 

The New Testament Church is to Walk in the Fear of the Lord

Acts 9:31 “So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”  

The fear of the Lord isn’t just Old Testament piety. The Church is to walk in the fear of the Lord too. In Acts chapter 9, the result of the Church walking in the fear of the Lord is that the Church grew. We can have the same result today.

 

We are Called to be Zealous for the Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 23:17-18 “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” (NKJV)

What does zealous mean? It means to be eager, enthusiastic, and energetic towards a person, cause or ideal. It can include passionate, devoted, fervent, and fanatical.

 

The Challenge

I challenge you to begin today to become more zealous for the fear of the Lord. It really doesn’t matter what other people think. What matters is what God thinks.

4 Ways We Can Become More Zealous

1. We can be devoted to doing everything God tells us to do in His Word. It doesn’t matter if others are doing it or not. We don’t change the Word to fit our lifestyle. We change our lifestyle to fit what the Word says.
2. We can be fervent about spending intimate time with God each day. We need to make it a priority to do this.
3.  We need to be passionate about following righteousness. We must make a definite and binding decision to be right in God’s way.
4.  We need to become fanatical about doing God’s will in everything we do. Put the fear of the Lord in your life and experience its benefits and blessing.