The Fear of The LORD.

Sista_Tambourine · Jun 17, 2020

Would like to have input...
As a Christian, do you believe the fear of the LORD is different for the believer than the unbeliever.

Most Christians believe that the fear of the LORD is to be "afraid of him". Some Christians believe that the fear of the LORD is to reverence him.

I would love your input on the subject.

JaumeJ · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

Because we have learned His Love, we respect and revere Him. Love casts out all fear. Yes it does.

Rosemaryx · Jun 17, 2020

I believe as a Christian that the fear I have for the LORD our God is an awe for Him , like He is God Almighty , Majestic , Holy and Pure , and how privileged I am that I can come before Him , and this humbles me...

As for the unbelievers , they have no fear of God , His Wrath is upon them , and in reality , they should fear Him greatly...

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

...xox...

lenna · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

Really? Most Christians? Have you asked all of us?

lenna · Jun 17, 2020

Rosemaryx said:

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Micaiah-imla · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

Including Jesus himself:

Luke 12:4-5 KJVS
[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

And this fear (not awe) is mentioned here as well with the description of “trembling”:

Ephesians 6:5
[5] Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ

What we no longer fear are circumstances on earth or men.

We most definitely must fear God because:

Proverbs 16:6 KJVS
[6] By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

Relic · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

A quick look at scripture shows that there are about fifty verses that say "do not be afraid".
We are children of God and Jesus has assured us that if we come to Him in repentance
we will be forgiven of our sin. God never punishes us, we punish ourselves when we move
away from Him. So we come to Him to receive all His love to us and not to be afraid of Him.

p_rehbein · Jun 17, 2020

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,.... Here properly the book begins, and this is the first of the proverbs, and an excellent one; it is such an one as is not to be found in all the writings of the Heathens. By "the fear of the Lord" is not meant a servile fear, a fear of punishment, of hell, wrath, and damnation, which is the effect of the first work of the law upon the conscience; but a filial fear, and supposes knowledge of God as a father, of his love and grace in Christ, particularly of his forgiving love, from whence it arises, Psalm 130:4; it is a holy, humble, fiducial fear of God; a reverential affection for him, and devotion to him; it includes the whole of religious worship, both internal and external; all that is contained in the first table of the law, and the manner of performing it, and principle of acting: this is the first of all sciences to be learned, and it is the principal one; it is the basis and foundation of all the rest, on which they depend; and it is the head, the fountain, the root an source, from whence they spring; and unless a man knows God, knows God in Christ, and worships him in his fear, in spirit and in truth, according to his revealed will, he knows nothing as he ought to know; and all his knowledge will be of no avail and profit to him; this is the first and chief thing in spiritual and evangelical knowledge, and without which all natural knowledge will signify nothing; see Job 28:28;

Tzav · Jun 17, 2020

Unforgettable -- the day I was finally converted after 43 years of thinking I was a believer. I learned that day the meaning, for me, of fearing Adonai. It was shocking. Since then, I understand the loving awe we have of Him. May I know that awe daily. I want that to be constantly refreshed and never diminished. I need that, especially right now, when I am so confused by world problems and circumstances.

Sista_Tambourine · Jun 17, 2020

lenna said:

Most where I am connected with. Differnt denominations . Most of them either do not know or believe the fear of the LORD is to be afraid.

Why I asked here, exactly how I did, was to see if there is A DIFFERENCE.

If I offended you by saying MOST, I apologize. That was not including you.

Sista_Tambourine · Jun 17, 2020

JaumeJ said:

Yesss!!

lenna · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

Well thanks but no offense taken. I do find it inaccurate when people state all of something or as in your case, most Christians.

I don't think anyone could actually know that with accuracy.

BenFTW · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

What church are you attending? Most people believe the latter and not the former. In Jesus’ statement of fearing the Lord, could it not be said, “If you are going to be afraid, be afraid of this?” Hell is real, and without Christ are people condemned.

Fear of the Lord can be both a reverence and awe and a fear that is understanding of His power. Much like one respects the natural laws of electricity, maybe, you might say God is an all consuming fire. People in the Old Testament literally died in His presence. They dropped dead. God took the life of Ananias and Sapphira for messing with His church (doesn’t mean they were condemned, they were taken to heaven if they were genuine believers). God literally avenges the righteous.

We respect God, we revere God. He is righteous and just, and we without Christ would be condemned in righteous judgement. Yet God loves us and delights in mercy. He sent Jesus to die for us and reconcile us to Himself.

We understand that God could snuff the life out of a person, and He also protects the life of a person. Reverence. Respect. He even has the power to extend the life of a person who was to die (Hezekiah).

We bow in humility, not because God is a tyrant (He isn’t) , but because with such great power He is righteous and loving, merciful and kind. Desiring the repentance of men. He is to be revered.

MessageOfTheCross · Jun 17, 2020

The fear of the Lord is the proper estimated value of God’s worth, which is only seen through faith in what His Son Jesus Christ did for all at the cross. That means to love, serve, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 9:23-24). The fear of the LORD means that we understand that the Lord says what He means, and means what He says.

MessageOfTheCross · Jun 17, 2020

As He tasted death for ALL men by the grace of God (Hebrews 2:9) so that we who believe can taste that same death by faith (Romans 6:6-8, Galatians 2:20), and our declaration will be, “O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusts in Him.”

dcontroversal · Jun 17, 2020

Sista_Tambourine said:

I think context determines what fear is being focused on....for example...

a. Paul said it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God....therefore we persuade men.

He is obviously speaking of actual fear and terror based upon the context the words are framed in and what experience is being referenced.

B. Jesus said..."I will tell you who you should fear, He that has power to kill and then cast into hell."

This is actual fear as well, because the context is the loss kf life and being thrown into hell as a lost man.

c. Fear is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Also The FEAR of the LORD IS CLEAN, it endures forever.

I believe this represents a reverential fear that guides a believer and is similar to the same fear that a child would have of a father....A fear that leads to growth, understanding, maturity

d. The angel flies through heaven prolaiming the everlasting gospel, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

This fear points squarely at those on the planet that are about to be burned and judged by the fiery indignation of God. And calls for repentance and the acknowledgement of God as God!

E. And then the verse some have quoted about Love casting out all fear.....

Love is a process of growth
and maturity and when one has matured to the point that LOVE has been perfected (matured) in them, they can no longer fear the judgement of God in the form or chastening because they walk in a manner that pleases the Heavenly Father.

Of course this is the jist and the bible has much to say on the subject......context determines the direction we should take with the word and it's application!

breno785au · Jun 17, 2020

dcontroversal said:

I think context determines what fear is being focused on....for example...

a. Paul said it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God....therefore we persuade men.

He is obviously speaking of actual fear and terror based upon the context the words are framed in and what experience is being referenced.

B. Jesus said..."I will tell you who you should fear, He that has power to kill and then cast into hell."

This is actual fear as well, because the context is the loss kf life and being thrown into hell as a lost man.

c. Fear is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Also The FEAR of the LORD IS CLEAN, it endures forever.

I believe this represents a reverential fear that guides a believer and is similar to the same fear that a child would have of a father....A fear that leads to growth, understanding, maturity

d. The angel flies through heaven prolaiming the everlasting gospel, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

This fear points squarely at those on the planet that are about to be burned and judged by the fiery indignation of God. And calls for repentance and the acknowledgement of God as God!

E. And then the verse some have quoted about Love casting out all fear.....

Love is a process of growth
and maturity and when one has matured to the point that LOVE has been perfected (matured) in them, they can no longer fear the judgement of God in the form or chastening because they walk in a manner that pleases the Heavenly Father.

Of course this is the jist and the bible has much to say on the subject......context determines the direction we should take with the word and it's application!

This.
A very well balanced understanding.
At times I quake at thought of being before God, other times Im excited at the prospect.

dcontroversal · Jun 17, 2020

breno785au said:

Same my Australian brother

Lafftur · Jun 17, 2020

JaumeJ said:

Love also fears to disappoint. It is very careful to be pleasing in God’s Eyes because “love” sorrows greatly if It disappoints.

Love so greatly wants to please, meet all needs, submit to authority, save the lost and deliver the captives......but, mostly Love wants and shows MERCY.......

Lafftur · Jun 18, 2020

Love greatly hungers and desires to love and be loved.....

God is LOVE......just think about how much God hungers and desires our love........

God deserves our love, how selfish to withhold it from Him....

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