There are a number of very practical things about the fear of the Lord that are found all through the Bible. For instance, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction," (Prov. 1:7). That shows us that taking God and the Bible out of school has resulted in educating fools (Rom. 1:21-22). Knowledge doesn’t even begin until there is a fear of God. Like Bob Jones, Sr. said, "Education without salvation is damnation."
But if we just limit ourselves to the New Testament, we find specific references to the fear of God that show precisely why God wants Christians to fear him. The fear of God accomplishes some vital things in our lives. As a matter of fact, according to 1 Pet 2:17, we are commanded to "Fear God." That’s a command to Christians!!
So, why does God want us to fear him? Well, looking up some of the verses we see that the fear of God:
- Makes us better servants – "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear," (Heb 12:28). The reason is that we know we must give an account of everything we do as Christians at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10-11). That judgment includes not only the good things but also the bad.
- Makes us stronger Christians – "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure," (Phil 2:12-13). Men naturally work harder when they are in plain view of the boss. His presence keeps them motivated because he can reprimand them or fire them if they slack off on the job. We are constantly in the sight of God and need to consistently work on our spiritual growth.
- Makes us holier saints – "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God," (2 Cor 7:1). Holiness is one attribute of Christians that keeps us separate from the world. A Christian who does not fear God will not live a holy life.
- Keeps us from fearing men - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, (2 Tim 1:7)." "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me," (Heb 13:6). As a wise preacher said, "A man who fears men will not fear God and a man who fears God will not fear men." Men naturally fear what others think about them. But when they do they put themselves in the snare of popular approval. The only way out of the snare is to fear God.
- Keeps us humble - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God," (Eph 5:21). We need all the help in this category we can get since we are naturally so proud. We would rather have others submit themselves to us. However, even Jesus, when he humbled himself unto the death of the cross, prayed to his Father in fear and was heard (Heb. 5:7). That was the ultimate act of humility.
- Keeps us honest - "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things," (Acts 5:4-5). After seeing what the Lord did to Ananias for lying to God, the rest of the congregation was too scared to fake spirituality like Ananias and Sapphira did.
- Builds up the church – "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied," (Acts 9:31). Modern church growth is the result of programs, modern music, and salesmanship. But in the early days, the churches were edified and multiplied as the congregations walked in the fear of the Lord. That way things were done according to God’s will and not man’s aspirations.
Now, all of these things are desirable. They are cleanly attained by fearing God. There is no other way to accomplish them. Since most Christians are not taught to fear God these days, Christians rarely demonstrate these qualities. There are no "Christian bookstores," "share groups," or "Christian conferences" that are going to fix these things in you. You are going to have to simply do what God commanded you to do, "Fear God."
Hope this helps,
Pastor Welder