What Does It Mean to “Fear God?”
The Bible commands us to “fear God.” This teaching of Judaism and Christianity may be an immediate “turn-off” for you unless you understand what the Scriptures really say about the fear of God. Moses used the following words, recorded in Deuteronomy 10: 12 (NIV), to underscore the importance of fearing God (emphasis mine):
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…
One of the purposes of the Old Testament biblical revelations of God was to
teach fallen mankind to fear or show reverent respect toward Him. For example, Moses reacted in great fear of
God when he interceded for the people of Israel after they had sinned by
worshiping the golden calf. Moses wrote
to Israel and to us, I was afraid of the LORD's fierce anger, because he was furious enough to destroy
you; but once again the LORD listened to me.
(Deuteronomy 9: 19, GNT). The author of the Book of Hebrews writes
that when Israel gathered at the base of Mt. Sinai near the presence of God, The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I
am trembling with fear (Heb.
12: 21).”Love God…and Fear Him?
But how can a God whose anger and wrath incites great fear be called a God of love. One explanation is that the word “fear” does not mean that God incites unhealthy fear or terror. But, try explaining that to Moses! Based on the writings of Moses, there should be no question that he had learned to “fear God.”
I have often wondered how a fearsome God can expect us to believe He is a God of love whose commands are worthy of our obedience. I received my best answer to this question recently when I was checking the electrical circuit breakers in our basement. Like most “breaker boxes,” ours contains two thick cables that connect electrical power to our home from outside utility lines. The exposed wire within each cable is anchored to a contact within the breaker box by large screws. From these contacts, electricity flows to and from individual circuit breakers, each wired into a separate circuit or path of electricity that serves to power individual appliances within our home—e.g. kitchen lights, furnace, etc. Each circuit is protected by a circuit breaker which can be “thrown” in order to interrupt current flow in the event of an overload.
By analogy, my question becomes, “How can I ‘love’ something like electricity that causes fear of death?” The answer is found in the same sequence as the commands God gave to Moses: fear --> obey --> love --> serve. When I base my attitude and behavior on my fear (healthy respect) for electricity and don’t touch the wires, then I have nothing to fear. As part of God’s creation, electricity “obeys” the laws of His creation. Therefore, as long as I respectfully follow God’s unchanging laws governing electricity, I am safe from harm. There are no unwanted surprises and I am free to enjoy, even “love” the benefits of having electricity flowing in and around me in our home. Likewise, as Moses teaches us in the Scripture cited above, Jehovah God loves us and desires that we learn to love Him in return. But we can only learn to love God when we first become aware of His awesome power and discipline, and then respond by offering Him our reverent fear and respect.
My illustration of a healthy fear and respect for electricity also applies to relationships with human authorities. The basketball player who has a reverent respect for his or her coach has learned to be respectful because he or she knows the consequences of being disrespectful or lazy. Athletes who willingly submit to well intended demands of their coaches will often develop a greater love and devotion to them, resulting in a more excellent performance in competition.
When we learn to fear God, we can expect that we will experience God’s love and the benefits of His love and mercy. Wise King Solomon gave us a major principle at the beginning of the Book of Proverbs:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7
Notice that Solomon’s teaching is very much in line with that of Moses. The progression is: fear --> knowledge --> wisdom --> obedience (implied). When we submit in reverent respect for God and His Word, our heart and mind are open to receive both knowledge and necessary wisdom to help apply that knowledge in God-honoring obedience. And, God interprets our obedience as a language of love for Him. In return, according to the psalmist, God grants us peace of mind. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Psalm 119: 165).
In recent years, we have been struggling as a culture to render necessary fear and respect for those in authority. News reports frequently report incidences of disrespect and threats of violence toward authority figures including the President of the United States, high court justices, law enforcement officials, and school teachers. But we should have no reason to be terrified of those in authority unless they we have broken the law. Law-abiding citizens should know “great peace,” being free from the fear of being arrested. If we want to live quiet and peacable lives, we ought to obey the law; then, love and pray for law-enforcers who risk their lives daily to protect homes and communities.
No Fear of God Brings a Fateful Future
We should not be surprised by the behavior of those who choose not to fear God and who refuse give Him the reverent respect He deserves. For example, in Romans 3: 9-18, the Apostle Paul describes the traits of the unrighteous human race as unprofitable with mouths full of cursing, bitterness, and deceit; their feet are quick to shed blood, and the way of peace they have not known. In 2 Timothy 3: 1-5, Paul elaborates the behavior that will characterize “the last days:”
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
It is clear that those who refuse to submit to God in fear and reverent respect according to the progression of fear --> knowledge --> wisdom --> obedience (implied), are instead destined to a progression that we might outline as follows: no fear of God --> rebellion --> foolishness, ignorance of truth --> dysfunctional life (as described above). Eventually, a godless approach to life leads to hopelessness, despair, and fear.
The child of God who is secure in God’s love is empowered to express unconditional love through two actions that uniquely authenticate his or her Christian faith in daily practice; namely, thankfulness and forgiveness. These virtues will be the subject of my next article, “LOVE: Part 6 - Humbly Received, Graciously Given."
