What does it mean to have the fear of God?

Response

For the unbeliever, the fear of God entails the dread of facing God’s judgment and eternal death, signifying eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). Conversely, for the believer, the fear of God holds a different meaning. It represents reverence towards God. Hebrews 12:28-29 aptly describes this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe encapsulate what the fear of God signifies for Christians. It serves as the driving force for us to submit to the Creator of the Universe.

Proverbs 1:7 proclaims, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Without comprehending who God is and cultivating a reverential fear of Him, genuine wisdom remains unattainable. True wisdom stems solely from recognizing God’s holiness, justice, and righteousness. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 recounts, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” The fear of God forms the foundation for our obedience to His ways, our service to Him, and, indeed, our love for Him.

Some reinterpret the fear of God among believers as merely “respecting” Him. While respect is undoubtedly part of fearing God, there is more depth to it. A scriptural fear of God, for th

The fear of God, for a believer, involves understanding how much God detests sin and dreading His judgment on sin—even within the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 illustrates God’s correction of the believer. While it is carried out in love «For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. », (Hebrews 12:6), it remains a solemn matter. When we were children, our apprehension of discipline from our parents undoubtedly deterred some wrongful actions on our part. The same should hold true in our connection with God. We should respect His correction and thus strive to lead our lives in a manner that pleases Him.

Believers are not to be terrified of God. We have no cause to be afraid of Him. We possess His assurance that nothing can alienate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His pledge that He will never abandon us or forsake us «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God entails having a deep respect for Him that significantly influences the way we live. The fear of God involves honoring Him, obeying Him, yielding to His correction, and worshipping Him in wonder.