{"id":51688,"date":"2020-08-04T22:39:59","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T19:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=51688"},"modified":"2025-06-29T19:52:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T16:52:42","slug":"what-does-it-mean-to-fear-god-and-how-do-you-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/08\/04\/what-does-it-mean-to-fear-god-and-how-do-you-do-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Mean to Fear God and How Do You Do It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Understanding the Fear of the Lord<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To \u201cfear God\u201d doesn\u2019t mean being terrified of Him like one would fear a tyrant. Biblically, the fear of the Lord refers to a deep reverence and awe for God <\/strong>recognizing His holiness, authority, and justice paired with a desire to obey and worship Him.<\/p>\n

Fearing God is not just one aspect of Christian living; it is a foundational attitude that shapes every part of our spiritual life. It means:<\/p>\n

Loving Him<\/p>\n

Obeying His Word<\/p>\n

Hating evil<\/p>\n

Serving Him faithfully<\/p>\n

Seeking His will<\/p>\n

Worshiping Him with sincerity<\/p>\n

As Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV)<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n

\u201cNow all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Let\u2019s explore the blessings that come from fearing God, as taught throughout Scripture.<\/p>\n

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1. The Fear of the Lord Leads to Eternal Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Proverbs 14:27 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This verse teaches that those who fear the Lord find a source of spiritual life and salvation. Fearing God leads us to repentance and a life of holiness, keeping us from sin and its consequences. Ultimately, it leads us toward eternal life<\/strong> in Christ (cf. John 17:3).<\/p>\n

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2. The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Knowledge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Genuine knowledge and understanding begin with acknowledging God as Creator and Lord. Without that foundation, all learning is incomplete. A reverent heart is teachable; a prideful heart is not.<\/p>\n

Daniel 1:17, 20 (NIV)<\/strong> gives a real-life example:<\/p>\n

\u201cTo these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds… In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This shows how fearing and honoring God produces supernatural wisdom that surpasses worldly knowledge.<\/p>\n

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3. The Fear of the Lord Gives True Wisdom<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Psalm 111:10 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wisdom<\/strong>, in biblical terms, is not just knowledge it’s the ability to live rightly before God. King Solomon received divine wisdom because he first feared and honored God (1 Kings 3:5\u201314). When we fear God, He grants us discernment to navigate life and understand His Word more deeply.<\/p>\n

James 1:5 (NIV)<\/strong> also assures us:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God… and it will be given to you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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4. The Fear of the Lord Extends Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Proverbs 10:27 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While not a guarantee of long physical life for every individual, the principle here is that a godly, disciplined, and morally upright life often results in better decisions, fewer destructive habits, and God’s providential care.<\/p>\n

Examples: Abraham (Genesis 25:7\u20138), Job (Job 42:16\u201317), and Jacob (Genesis 47:28) all lived long lives, and they were known for fearing and obeying God.<\/p>\n

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5. The Fear of the Lord Brings Protection for Your Children<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Proverbs 14:26 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A life of faith and godliness creates spiritual covering for generations. Your fear of God can become the spiritual inheritance and foundation upon which your children build their lives, just as God blessed Abraham\u2019s descendants because of Abraham’s faithfulness (Genesis 17:7; Psalm 103:17).<\/p>\n

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6. The Fear of the Lord Leads to Prosperity and Honor<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Proverbs 22:4 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHumility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Godly prosperity is not just material wealth but includes peace, honor, and the fullness of life<\/strong>. It is a by-product of humility and obedience to God. When you seek first the kingdom of God, He promises to meet your needs (Matthew 6:33).<\/p>\n

Jesus echoes this truth in Mark 10:29\u201330 (NIV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Truly I tell you,\u2019 Jesus replied, \u2018no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age… and in the age to come eternal life.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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How Can You Develop the Fear of the Lord in Your Life?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Study the Word of God<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Spending time in Scripture is key. The Bible reveals God’s character and teaches us how to live. God even commanded the kings of Israel to read the Law daily so they would learn to fear Him.<\/p>\n

Deuteronomy 17:18\u201319 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law… It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Avoid Evil<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The fear of the Lord includes a hatred for sin and wickedness.<\/p>\n

Proverbs 8:13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTo fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We are called not only to avoid evil, but to oppose it as God does beginning with pride and rebellion, the root of all sin.<\/p>\n

3. Cultivate Reverent Worship and Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Regular prayer, worship, and reflection on God\u2019s holiness help keep our hearts humble and submitted.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 12:28\u201329 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c…Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our \u2018God is a consuming fire.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Be blessed!<\/strong><\/h2>\n