The Fear of God
Be afraid of: The fear of God is not about cowering before a wrathful deity. Instead, it’s a deep, holy reverence for God, His Word, and His commands. It’s an acknowledgment of His majesty, holiness, and power.
Beginning of Wisdom: The Bible teaches that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). This fear leads us to seek knowledge, understanding, and insight from God.
Hatred of Evil: Fearing God means hating sin. When we truly respect Him, we despise anything that goes against His character. As Solomon wrote, “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil” (Proverbs 8:13).
For believers, the fear of God doesn’t involve trembling in terror but rather living in obedience out of love for Him. We don’t fear His punishment because Christ has already borne our sins on the cross (Romans 8:1). However, this fear keeps us aligned with His will.
The Fear of Man
1. Seeking Approval: When we fear man, we desperately seek approval from others. Our decisions revolve around pleasing people rather than honoring God.
Limiting Restraints: The fear of man can lead to compromising our convictions. We may hesitate to stand up for truth or righteousness because we fear rejection or criticism.
2. No Boundaries: Where there’s no fear of God, there are no limits to evil. In societies lacking reverence for God, we witness rampant deception, bitterness, violence, and disregard for life (Romans 3: 13 -17).
The Consequences
When people prioritize the law of man over the fear of God:
3. Abortion: Swift feet shed innocent blood, as seen in the tragedy of abortion. Over 63 million lives have been lost since Roe v. Wade.
4. Wickedness: Like in Noah’s time, when wickedness abounds, God’s judgment becomes necessary (Genesis 6: 5).
Conclusion
As believers, let’s cultivate a healthy fear of God-a reverence that guides our choices and keeps us aligned with His will. And may we recognize that fearing God leads to true wisdom, while fearing man can entangle us.
Remember: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe” (Proverbs 29:25).
3 мар 2024
