The Fear of the Lord

Introduction

This has been a subject that has intrigued me for many years but I've never been able to complete a Bible study on
this vital subject.

It seems that there is a wrong kind and a right kind of fear.

But this lesson is about another kind of fear - the fear of God which we ought to have.

Job 28:28 "And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom."

Psalm 19:9 "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever."

2 Samuel 23:3 "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

Lack of absence of this fear can only bring sin and disillusionment, and end in tragedy.

Romans 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes" a picture of degenerate man.

I. Meaning of "Fear of the Lord" or "Fear of God" Proverbs 14:26-27

Does it mean physical fear where you stand and tremble in the presence of the Almighty?

Dr. C. I. Scofield defines it as meaning "reverential trust with a hatred of evil."

Deuteronomy 4:10 "Gather Me the people together, and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn to
fear Me all the days that they shall live upon the earth."

From this we see that it is essential but not inherited. It is something that must be taught to the people including
children, that each generation may learn to fear the Lord.

Fear of God is required from each one of us. It is one of the purposes of creation.

Deuteronomy 6:13" Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him."

II. Things that We are not to Fear

We are not to fear idols or other gods. 2 Kings 17:38"And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget;
neither shall ye fear other gods."

We are not to fear man. 1 Samuel 15:24, Saul's mistake, "I feared the people." Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man
bringeth a snare." We are to fear the Lord only.

We are not to fear "fear," Job 15:24, "Trouble and anguish shall make him (the unsaved) afraid," but the believer
casts all his earthly fears on the Lord.

1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care (worries and fears) upon Him..." Only one fear remains and that is a holy fear of the
Lord God Himself.

III. The Fear of God is Commanded

Deuteronomy 13:4 "Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His
voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him."
1 Peter 2:17 "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.

Psalm 22-23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him glorify Him; and fear Him

2 Corinthians 7:1, the fear of God teaches us to live circumspect lives, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." This godly fear becomes a powerful motivating force in
our lives.

IV. Description of the Fear of the Lord

1 It is a hatred of evil. Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil."

2 It is wisdom. Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

3 It is a treasure. Proverbs 15:16 "Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith."
Isaiah 33:6 "The fear of the Lord is his [believer's] treasure."

4 It is a fountain of life. Proverbs 14:27 "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life."

5 It is clean. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean." It is sanctifying.

6 It endures forever. Psalm 19:9 "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever."

7 It is godly. Hebrews 12:28 "Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear." There is a difference between reverence and fear.

V. The Fear of the Lord is Necessary

1 It is necessary to worship. Psalm 5:7 "In Thy fear will I worship." See Psalm 89:7.

2 It is necessary in service. Psalm 2:11 "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."

3 It is necessary to keep us from sin. Exodus 20;20 "Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be
before your faces, that ye sin not."

4 It is necessary to good government. 2 Samuel 23:3 "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of
God." This is lacking in governments today.

5 It is necessary for administration of justice, 2 Chronicles 19:6-9. 6 It is necessary for the perfecting of holiness in
our Christian lives, 2 Corinthians 7:1.

VI. Results of Fearing the Lord

1 It brings pleasure to the Lord. Psalm 147:11 "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in
His mercy." Let's bring much pleasure to the Lord.

2 It causes the Lord's pity to increase upon the child of God. Psalm 103:13 "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the
Lord pitieth them that fear Him."

3 It brings acceptance with God. Acts 10:35 "But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is
accepted with Him." Peter to Cornelius and friends.

4 It brings the mercy of God. Psalm 103:17 "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them
that fear Him." O Lord, teach me to fear Thee (Luke 1:50)
5 It brings blessings. Psalm 112:1 "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord."

6 It brings confidence. Proverbs 14:26 "In the fear of the Lord in strong confidence."

7 It brings separation from evil. Proverbs 16:6 "By the fear bong men depian from evil." Today there is little fear of
God .

8 It brings answered prayer. Psalm 145:19 "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry
and will save them."

9 It brings long life. Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the Lord pro- longeth days."

Conclusion

Let us pray that God will teach us to fear Him. Psalm 86:11 "Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite
my heart to fear Thy Name."

Proverbs 19:23 “the fear of LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with
evil.