I wanted to pick up where we left of last week and begin more thoroughly distinguishing Godly fear from the unhealthy human fear that abandons faith. A simple definition of fear is: “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, or other circumstance, whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of “being afraid.” This is a condition we all have experienced and will likely experience in the future.
In prior pastor’s messages we looked at how unhealthy physical fear – can easily paralyze an individual. Fear will impede love and can cause a lack of faith which, if left unchecked, can ultimately result in preventing one from entering God’s Kingdom (Revelation 21:8). Before I go further, we need to recognize within Godly fear there is an element of – being afraid! Why do I say that? What is the purpose of that within the context of Godly fear?
Godly fear must contain an understanding that; if one sins (which we all have Romans 3:23), one is in danger of God’s judgment, condemnation and ultimately His punishment if that sin is not paid for (Romans 6:23; James 1:15). We should have that sense of being afraid within that context as that knowledge also ultimately reveals God’s goodness. That fear becomes a motivator for repentance (Romans 2:4). Additionally, within this context of being afraid, sin always has negative consequences from which God, in His goodness, is always trying to protect us (referenced earlier Romans 6:23, James 1:15). Godly fear illuminates both the physical and spiritual context to the warning: “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?” (Proverbs 6:26-27) This recognition becomes a healthy fear part of Godly fear - to fear sin! As one grows in Godly fear, one will ultimately learn to hate evil (Proverbs 8:13) because of the consequences, both spiritual and indeed physical. So Godly fear does indeed contain an element of “being afraid”, fully recognizing it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:23). The apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror (fear, the Greek word phobos is used here – that element of “being afraid”) of the Lord, we persuade men . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11).
Paul elaborates on this sense of “being afraid” within Godly fear by adding components of a reverence and awe of Him. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). It is indeed His goodness that leads us to repentance, and it is only from Him who works in us that we have the will and ability to do His good pleasure. So, we can see Godly fear indeed has an element of “being afraid” and the recognition of sin; that ultimately leads to “reverential awe”.
The Bible records reverence as the automatic response of everyone who encounters the awesome grandeur of the Lord God Almighty (Numbers 20:6; Judges 13:20; 1 Chronicles 21:16). Psalm 5:7 says, “But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.” Reverence is honor and respect that is deeply felt and outwardly demonstrated in the manner of life one lives. Because of the Lord God’s awesome power and majesty, He is deserving of the highest level of reverence (Leviticus 19:30). We are told to “stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14). We are also reminded: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm” (Psalm 33:8-9).
Awe has to do with beholding something that is beyond one’s capabilities and understanding. Leviticus 9:22-24 is a wonderful example of how the Israelites fell on their faces out of fear, reverence, respect, awe, and wonder from the knowledge that God was in their midst. Psalm 33:8 says, “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” So, we begin to learn that Godly fear has that element of “reverent awe”. What better way to consider awe than by meditating on what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” He created and sustains the entire physical universe (Psalm 104:1-35; 135:6-7; Colossians 1:17; Acts 17:28). Of Him alone it can be said: “But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared” (Psalm 130:4). So, we learn that Godly fear contains the element of “being afraid” in a proper way that leads to and contains a deep abiding “reverent awe” of who and what He truly is. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” (Hebrews 12:28-29)
With that understanding let’s continue to distinguish between physical fear and Godly fear by considering Exodus 20:18-20 as it contains both concepts of fear (physical and Godly). “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 (physical fear of physical circumstances) 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 (or upon you), so that you may not sin”.” The first “fear” is the verb “yare” (Strong’s H3372), the second is “yirah” (Strong’s H3374) which is the noun form of “yare”, yet they have very different meanings and illustrate the contrast between those physical human fears and Godly fear.
Christ Himself confirmed this concept in Luke 12:4-5 of “do not fear” and “do fear”: “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
I find in that section of scripture (Exodus 20:18-20) something amazing that I believe we must consider in our lives as we evaluate our human fears and also the depth of our Godly fear. Moses said “do not fear” the physical manifestation happening in front of you! Why? For (first) “God has come to test you” and (second) “that His fear may be upon you”. Godly fear causes a man or woman to evaluate physical threats (fears) properly and to arrive at the correct conclusion about what he or she should or should not do. I believe all of us will have to face our human fears as we learn and grow in Godly fear, and ultimately Godly love. What does that mean specifically to you and to me in our lives now?
True fear of God causes one to place their complete faith and trust in Him alone for salvation and to cause all things to work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). For example, after the Israelites crossed through the Red Sea on dry ground and saw how God destroyed the Egyptian army who came after them, they “feared the Lord and put their trust in Him”. Although they soon forgot what God had done for them and allowed their human fears to overwhelm them. Whatever physical manifestation may occur around us, we are to “trust in the Lord–He is their (our) help and shield” (Psalm 115:11). The continual blessings we receive from God, especially the forgiveness of our sins (Psalm 130:4), lead us to fear and love Him (1 Samuel 12:24; Psalm 34:9, 67:7). Learning and exercising Godly fear builds upon our faith and works hand in hand with growing and exercising Godly love.
Human fear forces an individual to concentrate on self, whatever that self interest may be whether that fear is healthy or unhealthy.
Godly fear forces an individual to concentrate on God, God’s will, God’s desire, God’s plan and purpose and away from any self interests that are not consistent with, or in line with that will, plan and purpose.
Perhaps at times we are uncertain about what fearing God really is because we think of fear as a negative characteristic. We feel that we should love Him rather than fear Him. However, as we study God's Word and experience life with Him, we come to understand that, at the foundation of loving God, Godly fear adds to and solidifies our faith in him and ultimately grows our love of and for Him. Godly fear is not negative at all but positive and begins as a gift from Him that accompanies conversion and yielding to Him (Philippians 2:12-13). We are to “Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11) We will continue looking at Godly fear in the next pastor’s message.