If God is so loving, kind and compassionate, why does Scripture say we should “fear” Him? What exactly is fear of the Lord, which is considered a gift of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3 ) and how does it relate to our walk with God?
Fear of the Lord is one of the Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in Isaiah 11:2-3 (also known as wonder and awe). In Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10, the fear of the Lord is called the beginning or foundation of wisdom. In Proverbs 15:33, the fear of the Lord is described as the “discipline” or “instruction” of wisdom. This gift “fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread, above all things, to offend Him.”
“The Fear of the Lord” is felt because one understands the “fearful expectation of judgement” (Hebrews 10:27). Still, this is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love. In Psalm 130:3-4, it is said, “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.”
A careful study of the Scripture will reveal that “the fear of the Lord” involves the following elements:
1. Reverence and Awe: “Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him.” (Psalm 33:8) God deserves our reverent worship and desires our close fellowship.
2. Hatred of Evil: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13) When David teaches “the fear of the Lord” in Psalm 34, he says, “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Turn away from evil, and do good, seek peace and pursue it”
3. Obedience to God: “That he may learn to fear the Lord his God by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes” (Deuteronomy 17:19) Obedience should spring from our love for God.
All through Proverbs, Solomon has contrasted the two kinds of life. Solomon in his early life was greatly impacted at the revelation of God. Even into his later life, these thoughts stayed with him.
