“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”   ~Ecclesiastes 12:13

So why would an all-loving God want us to fear Him? This never made any sense to me. I spent my entire childhood thinking this meant to be afraid of God, which did nothing but make me believe that God was a mean ogre just waiting for me to mess up. How could I ever want to get to know this angry image?

It wasn't until I finally discovered that Satan had led me to believe this misconception that I finally became willing to learn the truth. And the truth is that this all-loving God actually came to earth and died to reconnect with me. He came to die for my sins so that He could spend eternity with me. Wow! That sure is a very different picture than what Satan wanted me to believe.

So what exactly does it mean “to fear the Lord”? The only way to find out is to go to our only source of truth . . . the Bible.

​“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:

Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate."     ~Proverbs 8:13

So, according to the word of God, to fear the Lord means to hate evil! What an enormous relief this discovery was to me! Once again, Satan is nothing but a big liar. He fills our heads with a false image to keep us from connecting with our only source of power and Salvation. He deceives us in any way he can to try to win this ongoing battle for our minds.

Satan knows that God’s empowerment is the only way we can prevail over him here in this life. This is why he desires nothing more than to keep us detached from God through his deceptions. Hence, the perverse mouth!

We need to get wise to what’s really going on and learn the truth about who God is and what He wants for us, not only here in this life, but for all eternity as well.

The only way to learn these truths is through His holy word. The word of God is powerful beyond anything we could imagine. It is our one and only source of truth and power. If we read just a bit every single morning we can become empowered to stay strong and courageous, and fear not!

​“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…”   ~Proverbs 1:7

​“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights in His commandments”   ~Psalm 112:1

Evidently, there is a pretty big blessing that comes with this command. If we fear God, i/e hate evil and delight in His commandments; we will be blessed! God goes on to tell us the specifics of this blessing; our children will be mighty, we will prosper, never be shaken or afraid of any man because we will trust in the Lord.

​“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”   ~Proverbs 2:7-8

Here’s a really great quote that helps to explain the fear of God.
“He feared man so little because he feared God so much.” —unknown  
We must learn to be afraid of being afraid! Fear is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. When fear enters into us we are far more likely to sin. We must learn to hate evil, but never to fear it because God is always with us to protect us.

​“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me ; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. “   ~Psalm 23:4

I love this verse. I love knowing that God is always with me, that He is my protector . . . that He, as my Shepherd, has His rod to defend and protect me, and His staff to prompt and to guide. We all need a shepherd, and Jesus is this Good Shepherd.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.”    ~John 10:10-11

Now I finally understand that fearing the Lord is not only hating evil and all that it represents, but it is also allowing myself to feel the depth of God’s grandeur. I now see God for who he really is, nothing but pure love . . . and when I stand in fear of the Lord, I stand in awe of His supreme benevolence and incomprehensible love for all of us! If I fear God I won’t have to every fear anyone or anything else!

​10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

​~Proverbs 9:10-12

Fear of the Lord is a state of reverence and respect. God is all-wise, all- knowing and worthy of our respect and honor. Who wouldn’t want to  learn from a God that is all-wise.

Fear of the Lord and the four results:

(Proverbs 9:10-12)

1) Wisdom = learning from God v.10
2) Understanding = discernment v.10
3) Longevity = great health, long life v.11
4) Scoffing = avoid foolish consequences v.12

If you scoff and choose not to accept Jesus as your Lord, you will bear it along, you will reap the consequences of your choice. You are choosing to go it alone, and that will mean no redemption and no pardon. You are by default, choosing the consequences of eternal death rather than eternal life.

​“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”   ~John 3:16

Please click to Like my Facebook page!