The Fear of God

Articles

T. Sean Sullivan
04/13/25 - Fear

THE FEAR OF GOD

T. Sean Sullivan

Our English word "fear" as used in the Scriptures comes from the Greek word "phobos" and its other form, "phoboe." This Greek word is defined by a scale from "terrifying" to "worthy of awe." When considering "the fear of God," all the definitions are necessary.

King Solomon declared man's purpose by saying, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The "fear" declared by Solomon seems to be in contrast with passages like 2 Corinthians 1:3 which says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). We must look closer and see how we might understand this situation better. There is a way to bring those two thoughts together with a proper understanding and full assurance of both the fear and the love of God. "The fear of God" is an elemental ingredient in faith, and like most elemental things, it grows over time, just as faith itself grows (1 Peter 2:1-2). Let's consider how the proper "fear of God" grows.

At first, "Fear of God" is Fear

Our introduction to God demonstrates that He is powerful (Genesis 1:1). His great power and limitless ability are shown in creation. The first words of the Holy Scriptures are, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). God is so powerful that this material world was brought to being with three words; the Father said, "Let there be…". For example, "Let there be light"; and there was light" (Genesis 1:3).

Then we learn of God's ability to direct and hold us accountable-we learn about His fearful side. By the time we get to the sixth chapter of Genesis, we see God destroying the population of the world-everyone except Noah's family-because of their transgressions (Genesis 6:17-22). Throughout much of the Old Testament, and even into the early New Testament, we witness God bringing harsh discipline: When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram spoke against Moses, God opened the earth to swallow them and their families (Numbers 16:24-34). When Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant, his life was ended (2 Samuel 6:3-9a). Even in the New Testament, Annanias and Saphira conspired to lie to the Apostles, and their lives were ended by God (Acts 5:1-11).

If this is all a person knows of God, they will fear God in the sense of being afraid, and for good reason (Hebrews 10:31, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God).

Then, "Fear of God" Becomes Respect

Being afraid of God should compel a soul to do what is necessary to be allied with God. Knowing what God does TO those who are against Him (Matthew 25:46b) and FOR those who are with Him (Matthew 25:46a), we should all want to seek God (Acts 17:27). Like the Psalmist who said, "For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You" (Psalm 25:11-21).

When we come to God, we desire a relationship with Him to avoid His punishment and to seek His blessings, and we are not wrong to do so (Psalm 103: 2 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…"). The Hebrew writer says, "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Seeking God is submitting to His direction as we move from being afraid of God to respecting His directions (Hebrews 12:9). We don't want to disappoint our Father in Heaven; we know we need His grace, mercy, and love (Ephesians 2:1-10).

When we move from fearing God's punishment to respecting His directions, we may step slowly on our new path (Matthew 7:13-14). In this life, we all start with crawling, then walking, before we can run. We work through the struggle of seeking a new relationship with Him (Ephesians 4:17-23). Eventually, those steps become easier, and the positive changes He brings to us will lead us to love God and love to do His will.

Then, "Fear of God" Becomes Love

We may start out being afraid of God and His punishment, but when we enter into a relationship as His servants, we gain a healthy respect for His directions. As those directions become our consistent course, we will soon see the results of doing God's will, and we will love God. We love His opportunity of forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7). We love His direction to gain the fruit of the Spirit we see in our lives (Galatians 5:22-25). We love His revealed word, which brings us knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9-12).

Some do not find this final step, which is a shame. The best part of Christianity is loving the way of life it brings. The directions for the best possible way of life here and now (Galatians 5:22-25). The strength of God to lean on every day (Ephesians 6:10-13). The relief of worry and guilt through forgiveness (Matthew 6:25-33; Philippians 4:6-10). Even more, we are confident that our hope is eternal (Revelation 21:24). We can treasure the hope of eternal life in Heaven (1 John 5:11-13).

When we fully comprehend God's love for His faithful and our love for God, we can see what John meant in 1 John 4:13-19, "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us."

The Heavenly Father is beyond comparison in all of His attributes. His power, might, justice, and judgment will never change. God does not change; He has always been what He will always be. We will never be free of the obligation to seek God's will or the possibility of missing out on His reward if we return to the world (Hebrews 10:35-39). However, as we grow toward God, our perspective of God will change -from being fearful and away from God to allying with God and then being His adopted child.

If you have been running from God by running away from obedience to the gospel, you are going in the wrong direction. God wants you to embrace His love before this life ends. If we fail to prepare ourselves, those Old Testament punishments we looked at earlier in the lesson will pale compared to the words, "Depart from Me". Fearing God should motivate you to find God's hope and help. If you begin, your fear will grow toward the most excellent sense of awe and love toward God. The time is now.