The “fear of God” is a concept that appears numerous times throughout the Bible. At its core, fearing God means having a reverence and awe for who God is—his power, majesty, holiness, and sovereignty over all creation. It goes beyond simply believing in God’s existence to living one’s life in light of who He is and what He desires for us. Scripture describes both positive and negative aspects to the fear of the Lord.
On the positive side, fearing God leads to wisdom and right living. Proverbs 9:10 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” When we properly fear God, we gain true wisdom and understanding that helps us make wise choices and avoid foolishness. We recognize God’s authority over our lives and seek to live in a way that honors Him. Psalm 111:10 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Rather than leading to terror or distress, the right kind of fear empowers us to live wisely and righteously.
Fearing God also leads to life and blessings. Proverbs 19:23 tells us, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” When we reverence God, we find true life and contentment. Our lives overflow with God’s presence and the confidence that He will protect and care for us. The book of Acts records how the early church “walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:31). Far from anxiety and angst, fearing God brings comfort, peace, and blessing.
In addition, fearing God motivates us to obedience and holiness. Second Corinthians 7:1 exhorts, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” Because we reverence God, we desire to live holy lives that bring honor to Him. Philippians 2:12 tells us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Our awe of the Lord leads us to obey Him, avoid evil, and pursue righteousness in our lives.
On the negative side, Scripture warns that those who do not properly fear God will face consequences. Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Those who lack a reverence for the Lord tend to mock what is good, reject correction, and pursue their own desires without regard for God. They miss out on the true wisdom and blessings that come from fearing Him.
In addition, those who disregard God’s majesty and authority often face His discipline and judgment. Luke 12:5 warns plainly, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” Apart from reverencing God, we remain under His righteous judgment because of our sin. Proverbs 10:27 states, “The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.” Those who persistently reject God cannot expect to flourish or find the abundant life He offers.
Furthermore, Scripture ties the fear of God to worship. When Isaiah encounters the glory and holiness of God, he falls down in reverent fear, aware of his own sinfulness (Isaiah 6:1-5). The fear of the Lord drives us to our knees in awe of who He is. Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts us: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Worship flows naturally from hearts filled with awe at God’s greatness.
In summary, the fear of God means living with reverence, awe, and obedience toward who God is as Creator and Lord of all. It is not a fear that paralyzes us, but one that empowers us to live wisely and righteously. While the ungodly face consequences for disregarding God, those who fear Him find untold blessings, freedom, and joy in drawing close to Him. Our lives overflow with purpose when we walk in the fear of the Lord.
The Bible illustrates proper fear of God in many stories and examples. Moses trembled in God’s presence at the burning bush and was commanded to remove his sandals on holy ground (Exodus 3:5-6). After witnessing God’s power, the Israelites begged Moses to ask God not to speak directly to them again, so great was their fear (Exodus 20:18-19). When the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant, God struck them with tumors and plagues because they did not revere Him (1 Samuel 5-6).
In the New Testament, Luke describes how “awe came upon every soul” when the apostles performed signs and wonders in the early church (Acts 2:43). Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead after lying to the Holy Spirit, provoking great fear among the church (Acts 5:1-11). When the resurrected Jesus appeared to John in Revelation, he fell down as though dead in reverence and awe (Revelation 1:17). All of these examples illustrate the powerful, transforming effects of fearing God as He deserves.
Fearing God requires recognizing who He is. The Psalms describe God’s incomparable majesty, power, and sovereignty over all things (Psalm 47:2, 93:4). 1 Peter 2:17 commands us to “show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” We must fear God because of His supreme authority over every earthly ruler and all creation.
At the same time, the Bible calls God our heavenly Father who cares for us with compassion (Psalm 103:13). 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” While we should fear Him in terms of reverence, we do not need to be afraid of unjust punishment or rejection from the hands of a loving Father.
Knowing God’s character also allows us to fear Him rightly. We stand in awe of His holiness, moral perfection, and hatred of sin (Isaiah 6:3, Habakkuk 1:13). The psalmist asks, “Who knows the power of your anger” (Psalm 90:11). Yet Scripture also assures us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and promises that His mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). Understanding God’s holiness and grace enables us to fear Him in a way that draws us closer rather than driving us away.
Furthermore, the Bible tells us to fear God because we are accountable to Him. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” We demonstrate a proper fear of God when we live mindful of the accounting we will give Him.
As Christians, we also fear God because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. 1 Peter 1:17-19 says, “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ.” Our salvation through Jesus gives us even greater reason to fear and honor God.
Living with a fear of the Lord affects us deeply. It humbles us and leads to reverent worship. We take holiness and righteousness seriously. Fearing God makes sin repulsive and fellowship with Him desirable. We stand in awe of God’s grace shown through Christ and live abundantly in light of the salvation He purchased for us. The fear of the Lord permeates every aspect of life with purpose, meaning, and hope.
Practically speaking, fearing God looks like obeying and serving Him wholeheartedly. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 asks, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?” Our reverence shapes how we treat both God and others.
Along these lines, fearing God means hating evil. Proverbs 8:13 tells us, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Rather than leading to terror, the fear of the Lord fosters a moral seriousness and desire for righteousness. We avoid wickedness in any form because we revere the holy God who detests sin.
Furthermore, fearing God leads to confident trust in Him rather than fearing mortal man. Isaiah 51:12-13 declares, “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies…and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker?” Our awe of the eternal, almighty God eclipses any fear of finite people. As Psalm 56:4 assures us, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.”
The fear of God also moves us to share the gospel with urgency. Paul writes that he sought to persuade men because “we know what it is to fear the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Our reverence for God motivates us to help others find salvation in Christ. It spurs us to live on mission and make the most of each moment in light of eternity.
Additionally, fearing God means prioritizing Him above all else. We pursue intimacy with God because we revere Him as supremely valuable. Psalm 16:2-3 says, “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’” We orient our lives around treasuring God and finding full satisfaction in Him.
Furthermore, fearing God sustains us when trials come. Isaiah 50:10 says, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.” Because we revere God’s sovereignty, we can trust Him in suffering. Our awe empowers patient endurance.
Fearing God also models humility and repentance. Ezra 10:3 illustrates this: “Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.” Reverence for God’s commands led the people to repent and obey His call to end unlawful marriages.
As we grow in the fear of the Lord, Scripture promises blessings such as enrichment, salvation, provision, and the defeat of our enemies (Psalm 34:7-14, Psalm 115:11). God draws intimately near to those who fear Him (Psalm 25:14, Psalm 147:11). Our lives overflow with purpose when we walk in reverence of the Lord each day.
Thankfully, God does not leave us to cultivate the fear of the Lord alone. Through Christ, God graciously empowers us to grow in revering Him. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” As we behold God’s glory, the Spirit transforms us to fear Him more.
In addition, Scripture is vital for deepening our awe of God. The more we read and meditate on God’s Word, the greater our reverence grows. Psalm 119:120 says, “My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.” Immersing ourselves in the Bible expands our view of who God is and stirs us to holy fear.
The community of faith also encourages the fear of the Lord. As we gather together, hear testimonies of God’s grace, and spur one another to obedience and good works, our reverence flourishes. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another.” The church reminds us to fear God rightly.
Furthermore, life experiences cultivate the fear of God within us. As we walk with Him through ups and downs, we gain a deeper realization of His greatness, wisdom and sovereignty. Psalm 130:3-4 testifies, “If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Seeing God’s faithfulness through all of life’s seasons inspires reverent worship.
Above all, gaining the fear of the Lord requires God’s gracious intervention. Psalm 86:11 expresses this cry: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” We need God to ignite reverence within us by the work of His Spirit. He delights to answer when we ask Him to cultivate the fear of God in our hearts.
In closing, fearing the Lord means living every moment of life aware of His glorious presence, utterly dependent on His grace, seeking to please Him above all else, and overflowing with grateful worship. This reverent awe liberates us from fearing anyone or anything else. The fear of God fills our beings with joy, purpose, and freedom to serve Christ wholeheartedly. May God in His mercy increase our fear of Him each day.