The fear of God can be confusing, because the Bible teaches us not to fear. We are told to fear God, but not be afraid of him – how does that work?
In short, there is a difference between healthy and unhealthy fear. The fear of God is the healthy kind of fear. While it includes trembling and even dread, it is balanced by God’s love.
Matthew wrote, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (unhealthy fear). Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (healthy fear).” But the very next verses speak of the Father’s loving care: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid (unhealthy fear); you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31).
If we are in willful sin, then yes, we have every reason to be very afraid of God (unhealthy fear). God is fiercely angry at sin and we are stained with sin. But for the Christian who has received forgiveness of sin and has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, there is only the healthy fear of God – and it is a delight.
The Awe of God
If you want to understand and grow in the (healthy) fear of God, then do yourself a favor and read John Bevere’s latest book, The Awe of God. He is a prolific author and speaker, and yet this is the one message he would want to share with everyone. I can see why. This book is also a major part of the answer to a year-long prayer of mine: to grow in the fear of God.
But there’s a warning: don’t read The Awe of God unless you are serious about growing in the fear of God. We will be judged according to what we know. It would be devastating if someone were to learn all about the fear of the Lord but not change their life to implement it.
Fear of God Essentials
Though it includes awe, the fear of God is much more than a feeling of reverence. It is closely related to obedience, humility, and wisdom, and when we realize that God will judge our every deed, word, and motive, we begin to tremble a bit more.
Its benefits include protection, an honorable legacy, and intimacy with God. Did you know that friendship with God is not automatically offered to all Christians? God reserves it for those who fear him. In John 15:15 Jesus calls his disciples friends – no longer servants – but the verse before has a condition: “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). It is possible to to be a Christian and not fear God, not obey what he commands, and not have intimacy or friendship with God. That in itself is enough motivation for me to press in to God for a greater fear of him.
What the Book Offers
There is so much more in the book that I haven’t even touched on. I appreciate the author’s personal walk with God and therefore his authority to write and speak on the topic. Bevere and his wife have walked in the fear of the Lord for decades. His personal testimonies are woven throughout the book. He is not willing to beat around the bush, and he has a way of opening up Scripture to facilitate revelation.
The format of the book is helpful for allowing the reader to pause and reflect on these life-transforming truths. There are six weeks of daily readings (43 total) with points to ponder, scripture to remember, and a prayer at the end of each short chapter. I have copied many of these prayers and Scriptures into a separate journal for easy reference. A few days into the book, I couldn’t think what content Bevere could have to fill the next two-hundred pages, but by the end, I was wishing the book was a further 200 pages long.
Bevere also has a series of six videos on the topic (I see they are discounted for Black Friday). Here is another link to 43 short teachings on YouTube that are parallel to the book’s chapters. Though I haven’t watched these videos (yet), though I have heard him speak on other topics and I have no doubt they are top quality teachings.
The Fear of God Verses:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10.
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
“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” (Matthew 10:28).
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil…” (Proverbs 8:13).
… and many more
