The Fear Of The Lord
by Chris Simmons
As Solomon concluded his consideration of the meaning and purpose of life in the book of Ecclesiastes, we read in chapter 12 and verse 13 where he said, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” The American Standard Version adds, “for this is the whole (duty) of man.” It is the fundamental responsibility, in fact the very purpose of our existence, for everyone to whom God has granted the breath of life, to fear Him and obey His will. Godly fear is not a matter of simply being afraid of God, but W.E. Vine defines fear by noting, “this is not simple fear, but reverence, whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). Rendering such fear towards God will impact almost every aspect of our lives and Solomon had much more to say in the book of Proverbs about the fear of God that we must learn and apply in our lives. From the book of Proverbs we learn concerning the fear of the Lord:
It is the beginning of knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Our reverence and fear of God, as the Creator of all things, should cause us to first turn to Him and what He has revealed to us in our quest to know all things “pertaining to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). Godly fear will prevent us from leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) and will keep us from pursuing the path that is right in our own eyes (Proverbs 14:12; 21:2). We turn to God for knowledge because we recognize that “a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Godly fear is the beginning of knowledge because we accept that His revealed word is fully capable of making of us everything we need to be (cf. II Timothy 3:16-17) and we are willing to submit our will to His.
It inspires one to depart from evil. “By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). God desires, demands, and deserves our reverence which is to direct and govern our conduct, our speech, and our thoughts. Notice what Moses said to the Israelites in Exodus 20:20, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” Not only are we to depart from evil because of our fear of the punishment of the disobedient (II Thessalonians 1:7-8), but we are also to be motivated to do the same because of our love for God and our desire to do those things that are pleasing to Him. Our knowledge of what pleases and displeases God should then lead us to avoid not only sin, but the opportunity for sin (Romans 13:14; I Thessalonians 5:21-22). Is it our “ambition … to be pleasing to Him” (II Corinthians 5:9)? It was the ambition of our Lord to “always do the things that are pleasing to Him” (John 8:29).
It will cause one to hate evil. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). Our fear and love for God and the grace and mercy that He has extended to us should cause us to despise and hate sin and anything opposed to the truth of God’s word. One of the greatest dangers we face is becoming apathetic to sin and wickedness to the point that we not only do not hate it, but we even begin to tolerate it. Paul was clear in his admonition in the Roman letter to “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We must always be cognizant of the fact that we have an adversary who seeks to devour us (I Peter 5:8) and continue to boldly oppose any error or sin which can rob us of the eternal reward Jesus has made possible. “From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:104).
It will prolong life. “The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened” (Proverbs 10:27). No, God is not promising that the righteous will always live longer than the wicked nor is He guaranteeing that His people will never have any problems in life. What is being taught is that the one who fears God is going to submit to His will, which God has designed to be for our own good, both in this life and in the life to come (cf. I Timothy 4:8). “So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 6:24). Fearing God will keep us from sinful practices (i.e., drinking, drugs, fornication, etc.) which carry with them the definite potential of shortening our life in physical terms and will most assuredly cost us our spiritual lives if we fail to repent.
It leads to a satisfying life, and spares one from much evil. “The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil” (Proverbs 19:23). Godly fear will provide one with a peace and contentment that the world can not understand (cf. Philippians 4:11). Though we may be able to avoid being touched by the temporal consequences of evil when we overcome temptation, it does not mean we will not face any type of persecution or mistreatment by others. When it does come, the spiritual “life” that comes from fearing God can enable us to “sleep satisfied” even in the midst of “fiery ordeals” (I Peter 1:6-7; 4:12). We see such an example of this passage in Acts 12:6 when Peter had been arrested and imprisoned right after Herod had James put to death and no doubt expected that Herod would be pleased to do the same to him. Yet we read that Peter had such peace that he was able to sleep that night when the angel of the Lord came to deliver him. Later, in Acts 16:25, we read of Paul and Silas who had been arrested, beaten with “many blows,” and finally imprisoned, yet they could be heard praying, and singing songs of praise to God in the middle of the night. The fear of the Lord leads to a spiritual life that is unaffected by the conditions of our physical life so that we might always be able to “sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.”
It provides strong confidence. “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge” (Proverbs 14:26). To fear God means that we are not to doubt nor are we to live our lives never knowing where we stand spiritually. John wrote in I John 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.” Godly fear accompanied by faithful obedience will enable us to then face the day of judgment without doubt or trepidation (cf. I John 4:17). We can be like Paul who confidently proclaimed, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8).
It is the way to riches, honor, and life! “The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Those who fear God are not looking for their reward in their physical life, but rather hope for an inheritance which is unlike anything in this temporal realm. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” Jesus was not praying that we live forever on this earth but that we would enjoy the eternal life that came through Him. Peter describes it as an inheritance that is “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4). Paul prayed that the “eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19). We are not to seek the honor and glory of men (Luke 14:8) but rather, Jesus promised that those who serve and follow Him will be honored by God (John 12:26).
One may undoubtedly say that the foundation of spiritual success is found in our ability to “fear God and keep His commandments.”