FEAR OF GOD

Knowing GOD and understanding His character makes me fear GOD.

He is a Holy GOD and sin is flammable in the Presence of His Holy fire.

The whole fallen world lies under the wrath of GOD.

GOD has extended His grace to mankind through His Son JESUS.

He took the wrath of GOD upon Himself when He paid for the sin of mankind.

We need to therefore repent of our sin and receive His grace and forgiveness. 

Thus we can enter into the loving embrace of the Holy GOD through our Saviour JESUS CHRIST.

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Hebrews 5:7-9

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

JESUS had the fear of GOD and obeyed GOD.

Now He gives salvation to those who obey Him.

Luke 23:39-43

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

The fear of the LORD gives us salvation.

Exodus 20:18-21

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. Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." 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." So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

The children of Israel were afraid of GOD'S Awesome Presence. 

Moses knew the love of GOD'S heart as His grace had been extended to him.

The people of Israel needed to put away their sin and enter into an intimate relationship with GOD.

Matthew 10:28-31

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. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

I need to fear GOD because He is the One Who will judge me.

He has authority to destroy my soul and body in hell.

Yet I do not need to be afraid of Him, nor anyone or anything because He loves and values me very much.

Hebrews 10:26-30

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."

Wilfully sinning after knowing the truth of the grace of GOD makes me worthy of His punishment.

Hebrews 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

We need to value GOD'S grace and extend such grace to others.

He is a consuming fire.

Jeremiah 32:39-40

'then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. 'And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.  vs 17 & 27

It is GOD Who gives us a heart that fears him which is for our good.

Psalm 33:4-11

For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.

He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.

I need to fear the LORD Who has all power over all of nature and authority over all nations.

We have to continue to abide in GOD'S love by walking in the fear of GOD.

Fear of GOD is healthy like the sensory nervous system
that makes me react and pull back from danger keeping me from injury. 

Not having the fear of GOD is like living with Diabetic neuropathy or Leprosy
- numb feet and hands that are exposed to injury.

Fear of GOD will keep me from some pleasures of this world.

Fear of GOD will keep me humble and from transgression.

It will keep me from overstepping my boundary
in my relationship with GOD and with others.

Fear of GOD will keep my attitude and behaviour with GOD and others in check.

Acts 10:34-35

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Malachi 3:16 
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

Whoever has the FOG and works righteousness is accepted and remembered by Him.

Psalms 147:11

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. -

We give pleasure to the LORD when we fear Him.

Psalm 128:1-4

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.

The family of the one who fears the LORD is blessed.

Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Malachi 4:2

But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

The FOG brings healing.

Psalm 34:9-14

Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

There is no want to those who fear GOD.

Proverbs 1:28-33

"Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil."

If I fear and obey GOD I need fear no evil.

Psalm 112:1, 7-8

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. ... He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

I need not be afraid of evil tidings if I fear the LORD.

Psalm 19:9

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

The FOG brings cleansing.

Proverbs 3:7

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

The FOG will bring me out of the evil way into the path of life.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Believing GOD’S word, fearing His judgements and obeying His word saves me from His judgements.

Deuteronomy 6:2

that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

The fear of GOD gives us length of days.

Proverbs 23:17-18

Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

The fear of GOD makes us live in hope.

Acts 9:31

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Living in the fear of the LORD is living in the comfort of the Holy Spirit  which also brings increase to the Church.

Leviticus 25:17

Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.

Nehemiah 5:15

But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

1 Peter 2:17

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

If I fear GOD I will Honour each individual and not oppress or forcibly control others.

What are the ways of sin that would kindle the wrath of the LORD against me?

• Dishonouring GOD through pride or carelessness or ignorance of Who GOD is.

 Num 4:15 
"And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.

 2Sa 6:6-8 
And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. And David became angry because of the LORD's outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. 

Mat 16:21-23 
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." 
 We should not think that we have to fight for GOD or that we have to protect Him. Rather, we need Him to fight for us and protect us. We need to follow and not overtake GOD.

• Not believing GOD and His words of judgement.
• Disobeying GOD

Hebrews 3:17-19
Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

• Lying to the Holy Spirit and to the brethren.

Matthew 12:31-32
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Acts 5:1-11

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Lying to the Body of CHRIST is lying to the Holy Spirit.

• oppressing others.

Matthew 23:1-4

 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

• Offending the innocent.

Matthew 18:6-9

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. "Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. 

Mark 10:13-16

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

• Misleading others.

Matthew 23:24 -25

"Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 

• Being hard hearted towards others.

Mark 3:5

And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 

• Unforgiving.

Matthew 6:15

"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."  

• Judging others.

Matthew 7:1-2
"Judge not, that you be not judged. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Living in the fear of GOD keeps me from sin and from all other fear.

The devil reverses this in people with his lies. He takes away the fear of GOD and puts the fear of man and the fear of everything else in us. When we know the truth the truth puts the fear of GOD in us and sets us free from all other fear!