The Fear of God

Ps 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

What is the fear of the Lord? It is obviously a very important thing. There is no doubt that the fear of the Lord is required in the life of each person who lives. In fact, men who do not fear God are condemned (See Rom.3:18) This demonstrates to us that the fear of God is an imperative for us. For this reason we must delve into this subject to determine what the fear of God truly is.

Abraham’s Fear of God

As we study the Bible we find that one of the first clear descriptions of the fear of God was given when Abraham willingly offered up Isaac. God had commanded Abraham to go to the land of Moriah and there offer his only begotten son as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham did so. At the last moment God intervened, provided a substitute for Isaac and he was spared. Notice the words God spoke to Abraham that day: “Ge 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” The Lord stated that Abraham’s obedience in going to sacrifice Isaac resulted from the fear of God. What is very interesting about this is the fact that the New Testament attributes this same act to Abraham’s faith: “Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son…” Faith is synonymous with trust (see Eph.1:12-14). Faith is also a belief that is satisfied with all that God is for us in Christ Jesus. This is why Jesus stated: “Jn 6:35 I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Faith believes that God will satisfy our deepest longings and our greatest needs. Thus, while Abraham feared God, this was not an irrational phobia. Abraham feared while believing that God was sufficient to raise Isaac from the dead (Heb.11:17-19). We also read that Abraham’s act occurred because he believed God and was the friend of God (See James 2:21-24). Finally, Abraham’s offering was an act of worship: “Ge 22:5 Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.”

As we finish looking at Abraham’s fear of God we must conclude that the fear of God consists of several things. These things are: reverence for God’s worth (worship), faith in God’s ability to help us and to satisfy our greatest needs, and faith which obeys the voice of God counting God worth more than all earthly loves and pleasures.

What Prompts The Fear of God?

As we consider the fear of God it is certainly appropriate to ask what it is about God that should arouse fear in us. After all, isn’t God good? If God is good, why should we fear Him? Is it not possible for us to experience fear and pleasure at the same time? Can not one thing be both good and fearful? When one goes to the top of a high mountain and looks below him, does he not experience pleasure because of the good and beautiful view? Does he not at the same time experience fear because of the danger of treating the height as a trifle and getting too close to the edge? Certainly the character of God is much the same. His beauty and greatness cause us to declare that He is good. His greatness also causes us to fear and tremble lest we treat God too lightly and tumble over into the valley of irreverence, thus destroying ourselves. This is why the Psalmist says, “Ps2:11,12 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

The children of Israel sang a song which glorified God and expressed this same sentiment. The song was prompted by the great deliverance the LORD had wrought for Israel when He led them through the Red Sea on dry ground, but drowned the Egyptians as they tried to cross the same sea. “Ex 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” What a description of God! His very other-ness (holiness) is His beauty and honor. He is glorious in this holiness. He is to be feared for the same reason He is to be praised. His wonders, His holiness, and his excellencies bring forth both awe and joy. It is the very character of God in all of His eternal glories that causes us to fear Him.

The fear of God reflects the worth of God, and is thus an integral part of worship. “1Ch 16:25 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” God’s greatness gives us cause to praise Him. He is worthy of our praise (See Ps 29:1,2). Praise and worship acknowledge God’s great worth. He is not only worthy of our praise, but is greatly to be praised. There is none equal to Him. There is none who can be compared to Him. “Ps 89:6,7 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” When we consider the infinite worth of God, the eternal glories of God, the everlasting majesties of His glorious name, how can we not praise such greatness? How can we not find pleasure and joy in such greatness? How can we not speak of this greatness? That is true worship when we taste the glory of God, enjoy it, and then tell others about it. Praise belongs to God. He alone is worthy. In fact, He has declared, “Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” God promises severe penalties to those who refuse to love, glorify, and praise Him. “Ps50:22,23 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” “Rom1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” “Mal 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.” “Deu 28:47,48 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.” “Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” “Josh 24:19,20 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.” It is the worst of all sins when we do not give God His due recognition and praise. He is worthy of all our adoration. “1Chr 16:25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” Because it is a sin to not give God what is due Him in the form of love, praise, and worship, we must fear Him. We must fear lest we not love Him enough. We must fear lest we not worship Him as we should. We must fear lest we focus on something, or someone, other than God and thus sin by giving God’s praise to another. Yes, God is good, but He is not safe. He’s the King. He’s God. He is worthy of all our heart, soul, and mind (Mt 22:35-40). We should fear lest we sin by treating Him casually and thus fall from the mountain of adoration into the abysmal valley of His wrath. “Mt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Finally, we must consider the position of God. Just as the person of God, that is His character, prompts us to fear Him, so must His position. He is the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. “1Tim 6:15,16 In his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” God is incomparable in His character and position. For this reason He is to be greatly feared. “Jer 10:6,7 There is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.” Fear belongs to the One who is above all and beyond all in His character and authority. This is why the Lord stated, “Mal 1: 6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?” To fear God is to honor Him because He is worthy in His character, and is exalted in His position. While today we sometimes find ourselves honoring people whose character we despise (such as a corrupt political leader), yet we still give them honor because of their position. Our God is to be honored and feared because of His gloriously holy character and His exalted position as head above all. “1Chr 29: 10-13 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

Fear, Love, Obedience, And Service

“Deut 10: 12,13 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” The requirements of the law were very stringent. The law demanded perfect obedience. “Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” In fact, this very thing caused people to live their lives in bondage. It was not God’s intent that things work this way. The law was given to show men their sins (See Rom.3:19,20). Men, however, tried to obey, sacrificed when they failed, and found themselves caught in the vicious cycle of trying to gain the favor of God by their good deeds. They lived in the fear of death and were as slaves. “Heb 2: 14,15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” There is great bondage in trying to measure up to a perfect standard. The law also called for men to love God supremely and to the exclusion of all other gods. “Deut 6: 4,5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” This still leaves man with a problem, though. Man is still under judgment. “Gal 3: 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” “John 3: 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” All of this adds up to a very serious state for mankind. We are condemned before God. Our hearts are not right with Him. There is a solution, however.

You see, the solution is found within the writings of the law. The law is really not a code of morals given to us by which, if we try hard enough, we can get to Heaven. The law tells us that we cannot and will not achieve the demands of the law in and of ourselves. “Josh 24:19-21 Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.” Joshua plainly told people that their hearts were inclined to sin. Not only are men’s hearts inclined to sin, but God has stated that He will not acquit the guilty ones. “Ex 34:6,7 The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Yet, while there is no acquittal, there is forgiveness with the Lord. The issue is an issue of the heart. The heart of the matter is the heart of man and its attitude toward God. “Deut 5: 29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” Then, God revealed to man His power to change hearts. “Deut 30: 6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” God can and will change hearts.

Love and obedience go hand in hand. “John 14: 15¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.” “1John 5: 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” Our love is demonstrated by our obedience. So is our fear of God. Not only so, but fear, love, and service are tied together. “Mal.3: 16,17 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Service is much like fear: it is an act of adoration and worship that acknowledges God’s greatness. Yet service is in some ways so very different from what we have thought it to be. Service is to be seen in obedience to God. Of that there is no doubt. Service is also the rendering of respect to one’s superiors. “Eph 6: 5,6 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” “Mal 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts.” Service is, first and foremost, a matter of the heart. Service is also a looking to God for blessing and joy. “Ps 123:1,2Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” The servant and the maid look to those who are over them for help. They look to their masters and mistresses and trust them to take care of them. “Mt 6: 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Just as a man serves money by putting himself in a position to receive as much good, joy, and pleasure from it that he possibly can; so does a man serve God. Thus fear is coupled with service in the sense, not that we earn anything from God, but that, by our being obedient,loving, and honoring God by faith, we position ourselves to glorify Him by receiving all good things He offers by His grace. In other words, fear is that honor which we give to God by loving, trusting, and obeying Him. After all, faith works by love (See Gal 5:6).

The fear that men experienced under the law was often a different kind of fear. The slavish fear of one who dreads being destroyed is not the fear of God which we are studying. In fact, the more we love God, the less we will experience the dread of God. The more we love God, the less we will fear being hurt by God. The more we love God, the dearer God is to us. “1John 4: 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” We will fear God in the sense of fearing that we not love Him enough. We will not fear God’s mistreating us or being a harsh and unforgiving judge. Those who love God fear Him while knowing that God will always deal with His children in love. God has given us the heart to love Him, if we are His children. “2Tim 1:7 God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” God’s grace teaches us to serve, love, fear, and obey God. “Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” “Heb 12:28 Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

The Blessing of Fearing God

Living in the fear of God is not a wearisome lifestyle. It is a life of blessings. We find that “Prov 10: 27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” Not only is this so, but “Prov 22: 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” The good life is the life which is lived in the fear of God.

Another great blessing of living in the fear of God is the blessing of being taught by God. “Ps 25:12-14 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” When a person fears God, He will teach them and guide them. Jesus said, “John 7: 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” When we obey God we learn of God. That is why Jesus told us that the first thing we should seek is the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt 6:33). When we do so, we find all other blessings coming along with the kingdom and righteousness of God. We should pray that God would give us a heart to fear Him and keep His commandments. Then we will learn of Him and grow in His wonderful grace. God does not give His great blessings and promises to those who care nothing for Him. God upholds, blesses, and teaches those who fear Him. Oh, what a wonderful blessing it is to be taught in the schoolhouse of the fear of God. In fact, the fear of God is the foundation of all truly meaningful knowledge and wisdom. “Ps 111: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” “Prov 1: 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” “Prov 9: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

If we ever experience the pleasure of seeing, hearing, and feeling that God takes pleasure in our lives, it will be because we fear Him. “Ps 147:10,11 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” The pleasure of the Lord is upon the man who lives his life in the fear of God. The man who fears God knows that, if he is to honor the Lord, he must trust the Lord and His mercy. Altogether too often we miss great blessings because we do not trust the Lord. If we do not trust the Lord as we should, we do not fear Him as we should. “Ps 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” We must fear the Lord. We must fear the displeasure of God if we do not trust Him. “Isa 7:9 If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.”

Another blessing of the fear of God is the blessing of joy. The Bible often describes joy as “blessedness.” “ Ps 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” The man who fears the Lord is blessed. He is joyful. Not only is this so, but this man has great joy in the commandments of God. We have already seen that the fear of God will lead us to keep His commandments. Here we find that the one who fears God finds joy in God’s commandments. The way of God’s commandments is a life of peace. When we have hearts that are tuned to God and His ways we shall be blessed of God. This heart which fears God is the gift of God (Deut. 30:6), so we know the joy isn’t the result of our works. It is the result of God working in us. This joy is not only promised in eternity, but it is promised for this life. “Ps 112:1-10 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” What wonderful blessings we find within these verses. We find joy, provision, stability, security, confidence and trust in the Lord’s help and strength, victory, and blessings which last forever. What great joy can be ours if we fear God! “Ps 128:1-6 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” The fear of the Lord gives us the promise of a joyful life in this world and in our families. Not only does it give this promise, but it gives a promise to a nation of people who fear God. It gives the joyful promise of peace to a nation that fears God. Living in the fear of God is not a life of misery. Living in the fear of God keeps us from sin (Prov 8:13), which gives us peace, security, stability, and so many other blessings in life- blessings which would not be ours if we did not fear God and walk with Him. The fear of the Lord also leads to long life (Prov 10:27-29) There is much joy in the fear of God.

Finally, (though this has not been an exhaustive list of blessings) the fear of the Lord edifies God’s people. Saul of Tarsus had been afflicting the church in his day. He put men in prison, caused some to blaspheme, and had others killed. There was much trouble due to his persecuting the church. Saul was converted one day, however, and things changed. Saul (or Paul) began preaching the gospel. This meant that some of the great persecutions stopped. This gave a little peace to the church in that day. “Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” While it was great news to know that their worst persecutor had trusted Jesus and was saved, this was not the main cause of the edification of these churches. The cause of their edification was their walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. It is interesting to note that the Holy Ghost comforts those who fear the Lord. This lets us know that a life lived in the fear of God is not a miserable life. By walking in the fear of God the church no doubt worshipped, pleased, and obeyed God. Not only did they do this, but they also treated one another in a right manner. All of these things led to peace, comfort, and edification in the church. We find that the church also multiplied during this time. How many ways would we be amazed today by what God would do in our churches if we would but walk in the fear of the Lord!?!!

An Antidote to Pride

The fear of the Lord is an antidote to pride. Many times we want to exalt ourselves far above what we truly are. We enjoy honor, recognition, and praise. We want to trust in ourselves far too often. When we fear God we know that we are nothing but creatures who are dependent upon our Creator. We realize that we are due no honor, but God is due all honor, glory and praise. The fear of God should cause us to always remember Nebuchadnezzar and how God humbled him and broke him from his pride. We should always remember that we, too, as Nebuchadnezzar, are but men who need not exalt themselves, because we too shall be abased by God (See Lk 18:9-14).

Paul, himself, used the fear of the Lord as in incentive for men to humble themselves before God. After explaining that God had for a season allowed Israel to be blinded to the gospel, he reminded us that we could find ourselves in the same trouble. The reason that we are saved today is because of God’s grace. We stand by faith. We cannot boast and arrogantly insist that we are above anyone else. We are sinners saved because God is gracious to us and has given salvation to those who trust Him. Paul stated that we are to “Rom 11:20 be not highminded, but fear.” Just as faith and arrogance cannot forever remain in the same heart (See Hab 2:4), neither can pride and the fear of God forever remain in the same heart. When a man fears God he also fears to exalt himself in his own mind and heart. In fact, he will find himself “2Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” The fear of God will cause us to zealously guard our hearts against pride.

The Basis of All Right Relationships

One of the greatest blessings of the fear of God is found in the fact that it is the basis of all right relationships. We may have good relationships with the important people in our lives, but they will not be as good as they could be without the fear of God. “Lev 25:17 Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God.” “ Lev 25:36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.” “Lev 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” Respect is to be given to our elders based upon the fear of the Lord. When we consider that man is made in the image of God, the fear of God should cause us to treat all men kindly. As we consider our elders who have taught us the right way and set good examples before us, how much more should the fear of God motivate us to honor them? They have taught us the value of honoring God. We should honor and respect them for this. Because we honor God, we should also honor those who have taught us to honor Him. In fact, when we consider the command to honor our father and mother, we notice that it is among the first five commandments – commandments which relate to our relationship with God. Why is this? It is because that, for a child, his first idea of God is presented to him by the care and instruction of his parents. The child is cared for by someone greater than he. The child is trained by someone greater than he. This gives the child a picture of God’s care for us and instruction of us. Because of this picture of God set forth by his parents, the fear of God should prompt a child to honor his parents who have instructed him in the right way. Even when parents are wicked, cruel, and often wrong, there remains a slight though dim picture of God’s care. Thus, the fear of God should prompt children to honor their parents even if their parents do not honor God.

The fear of the Lord will help us to do rightly in all relationships. As Paul began to teach about the family and other relationships (such as servants and masters), he told the Ephesians to submit “Eph 5:21 yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” When we consider God’s plan for marriage to image forth the relationship between Christ and His church, God’s plan for parents to image forth God to their children, the need for servants to show humility, honesty and Christian charity to their masters (believing or unbelieving masters), we can certainly understand why the fear of God is necessary to right relationships. When we fear God we shall certainly desire to display the worth of God in all of our relationships. All of life is to glorify God (see 1Cor 10:31;Col 3:17). The fear of God will move us to love our spouses, parents, and children as we should that God would be glorified. The fear of God will also move us to be the honest, hardworking people we should be for the purpose of demonstrating true holiness and the grace of God to those around us in the workplace and in all the public places we go.

The Essence of True Worship

Finally, the fear of God is the essence of true worship. We cannot have true worship without the fear of God. This is what God expects of us. God is to be honored, glorified, and loved. We should fear lest we not do this enough, or not do it at all. God is worthy of our praise. After looking for joy in all of life, Solomon concluded that there was only one way to live. This one way of living is the life which will be both happy for us and pleasing to God. Solomon said, “Ecc 12:13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” The whole duty of man is to fear and obey God. Obedience is fulfilled only when we love God (See Matt 22:35-39). Our whole duty in life it to fear and love God. The only worship that is accepted by God is that worship which is done in fear of God. In fact, worship is not worship if it does not have the spirit of the fear of God in it. Worship is the joyful acknowledgement of the worth of God. While recognizing and seeking to display the worth of God, the spirit of fear will always be present. True worshippers always fear that they do not show the proper adoration and praise to Him who is eternally worthy. “Heb 12:28,29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”