0944 Don't Be Afraid, Fear God

Don’t Be Afraid, Fear God!

Fear of God is incredible respect and reverence growing out of the greatness and the power of God.

Fear of God is not the same as being scared of God.

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10

The one who is afraid of God hides from God. The one who fears God hides in Him.

“Fear of God is not being afraid of God; it’s being afraid of being away from Him.” John Bevere

Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.

Exodus 20:18

Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

Exodus 20:19

And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

Exodus 20:20

So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

Exodus 20:21

“The one who is afraid of God stays at a distance. The one who fears God stays close.” John Bevere

Many believers have a relationship with God but lack the reverence for God.

2. Fear of God overcomes other fears.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Put fear in its place. Fear God, not man.

But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. Exodus 1:17

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

Whoever you fear, that’s who you revere.

Many believers have a relationship with God but revere only men.

The best way to overcome fear is not to remove it but to replace it.

“We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” William Gurnall

3. Fear of God causes us to flee sin instead of flirting with sin.

If we only have a relationship with God, we will flirt with sin.

If we have reverence for God, we will flee sin.

In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. Proverbs 16:6

4. Lack of fear of God brings a lot of foolishness.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Wisdom and being smart is not the same thing.

Wisdom comes from the fear of God. Knowledge comes from learning and living.

“Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God” Genesis 42:18

Other Benefits:

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him Psalm 103:11

He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great. Psalm 115:13

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. Psalm 145:19

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7