The fear of God…what is it and how do we get it?

 

What is it?

(Is linked with wisdom…)

 

(Job 28:28 NIV)  And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"

 

(Psa 19:9 NIV)  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

 

(Psa 111:10 NIV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

 

(Prov 1:7 NIV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

 

(Prov 9:10 NIV)  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

 

Why is it important…what does it do? 

(Keeps us from sin and gives us a clear understanding in order to please God):

 

(Gen 20:11 NIV)  Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'  (Also Abimelech afraid to sin against Abraham’s wife)

 

(Gen 22:12 NIV)  "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

 

(Gen 42:18 NIV)  On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:

 

(Exo 9:30 NIV)  But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God."

 

(Exo 18:21-22 NIV)  But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. {22} Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

 

(Exo 20:20 NIV)  Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

 

(Lev 19:14 NIV)  "'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.

 

(Lev 25:17 NIV)  Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God.

 

(Lev 25:35-43 NIV)  "'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. {36} Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. {37} You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. {38} I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God. {39} "'If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. {40} He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. {41} Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers. {42} Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves. {43} Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.

 

(Deu 25:18 NIV)  When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God.

 

(2 Sam 23:1-7 NIV)  These are the last words of David: "The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel's singer of songs : {2} "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. {3} The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, {4} he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.' {5} "Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire? {6} But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. {7} whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie."

 

(2 Chr 19:4-10 NIV)  Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. {5} He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. {6} He told them, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. {7} Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." {8} In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. {9} He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. {10} In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities--whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances--you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin.

 

(Isa 11:1-4 NIV)  A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. {2} The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- {3} and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; {4} but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

 

(2 Chr 20:29-30 NIV)  The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. {30} And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

 

(2 Chr 26:3-5 NIV)  Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. {4} He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. {5} He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

 

(Psa 36:1-2 NIV)  For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. {2} For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.

 

(Psa 34:11-16 NIV)  Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. {12} Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, {13} keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. {14} Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. {15} The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; {16} the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

 

(Psa 55:19-21 NIV)  God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them-- Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God. {20} My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. {21} His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. – (the man who fears God also is concerned about his neighbor)

 

(Prov 10:27 NIV)  The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

 

(Prov 14:27 NIV)  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

 

(Prov 15:33 NIV)  The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

 

(Prov 16:6 NIV)  Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

 

(Prov 19:23 NIV)  The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

 

(Prov 22:4 NIV)  Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

 

(Isa 33:5-6 NIV)  The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. {6} He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

 

(Isa 33:14-18 NIV)  The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" {15} He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-- {16} this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. {17} Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. {18} In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror: "Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?"

 

(Acts 9:31 NIV)  Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

 

(Rom 3:10-18 NIV)  As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; {11} there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. {12} All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." {13} "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." {14} "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." {15} "Their feet are swift to shed blood; {16} ruin and misery mark their ways, {17} and the way of peace they do not know." {18} "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

 

 

How to get it?

 

The right way…

(Prov 2:1-5 NIV)  My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, {2} turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, {3} and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, {4} and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, {5} then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

 

(Prov 15:16 NIV)  Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. (it is valuable)

 

(Prov 23:17 NIV)  Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

 

The wrong way…

(Gen 3:6-10 NIV)  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. {7} Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. {8} Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. {9} But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" {10} He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

 

(Gen 18:15 NIV)  Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh." But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."

 

(Gen 50:15-25 NIV)  When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" {16} So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: {17} 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. {18} His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. {19} But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? {20} You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. {21} So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. {22} Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father's family. He lived a hundred and ten years {23} and saw the third generation of Ephraim's children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph's knees. {24} Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." {25} And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place."

 

(Prov 29:25 NIV)  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

 

(1 Sam 15:24 NIV)  Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.

 

What not to fear and Why?

 

(Gen 15:1 NIV)  After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

 

(Gen 21:17-18 NIV)  God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. {18} Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

 

(Gen 26:24 NIV)  That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."

 

(Gen 46:3-4 NIV)  "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. {4} I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."

 

(Exo 14:13-14 NIV)  Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. {14} The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

 

(Lev 26:3-6 NIV)  "'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, {4} I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. {5} Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. {6} "'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.

 

(Num 14:9 NIV)  Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."