Overview

The notion of “fear of God” has been around for as long as Christians can remember. It used to scare me to death as a child whenever I heard it from my parents or the local priest in the church. Growing up, I realized I had this irrational fear and guilt I was carrying around that would come to the surface whenever I did something slightly against the Christian teachings.

And I don’t mean any major stuff. No, I would feel guilty for even thinking unholy things, like being angry at my neighbor for being too loud and disturbing my sleep, or feeling envious of that colleague who got a promotion even though they didn’t deserve it. But as humans, we are flawed by design.

We are prone to such thoughts every once in a while. Are these things supposed to create such a strong inner feeling of shame and inadequacy though? Is God going to bring fire and thunders into your life for stepping outside of your divine path now and then?

Going Deeper

And are you supposed to fear God when the whole Christian religion is speaking about eternal love? These are all valid questions and we’re going on a journey to find the answers. The Problem with the Word “Fear” Here’s the thing about the word “fear”: it’s heavy.

It comes with baggage. Ask someone what “fear of God” means, and watch their face. You’ll probably see some combination of wide eyes, and a nervous chuckle, followed by a quick change of subject.

That’s because fear, in our modern vernacular, is almost always negative. It’s the monster under the bed, the shadowy figure in a dark alley, the thing we avoid at all costs. Fear, we’re taught, is bad - something to either conquer or to run away from.

Key Takeaways

But then the Bible comes along and Proverbs 9:10 says , “ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. ” Wait. When we hear “fear,” we think terror, trembling, paralyzing dread. But the biblical “fear of God” doesn’t fit that mold.

Rather than cowering in the corner, waiting for lightning to strike, it’s more about awe. That gut-deep realization that you’re standing in the presence of something infinitely greater than yourself. Think of it like this: You’re at the edge of the Grand Canyon, staring into its vastness.

You’re not scared in the horror-movie sense, but you feel something primal, something humbling, something that makes you rethink your place in the world. That’s biblical fear. The real problem with the word “fear” isn’t the word itself, but it’s more about our way of perceiving its meaning over time.

Practical Application

In our rush to avoid it, we’ve lost the beauty of its depth. Fear of God doesn’t mean you’re running from Him; it means you’re drawn toward Him, standing in awe of His power, His justice, and His grace . It’s not the shrinking, trembling kind of fear, but the kind that expands you, changes you, and yes, makes you wise.

So the issue isn’t fear, but the fact that we’ve forgotten how to embrace it. “The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom” Meaning Here’s where things get interesting: Proverbs 1:7 declares that “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. ”, and Proverbs 9:10 says “ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. ” So it’s not love, not faith, not repentance. Because fear, as in awe-filled reverence, sets the stage for clarity. It’s a wake-up call that reminds you God is God, and you’re, well… not.

It’s the realization that you don’t have all the answers, and there’s a higher authority worth aligning your life with. That’s where wisdom begins. Think of it like learning to drive.

Reflection

You start with respect for the rules, the power of the car, and the dangers of the road. Without that foundational reverence, wisdom doesn’t follow. You might press the gas without checking the brakes.

You might run a red light just because you feel like it. But with proper fear of the possible consequences? You become a good driver.

The same principle applies to life. Without a healthy fear of God - awe for His power, reverence for His justice, appreciation for His grace - we’re like reckless drivers in a world designed by someone else. Get Closer to God Today Download Bible Chat ★ 4.9 Average Rating | Over 5 Million Downloads

What Does Fear of God Mean? A Simple Explanation

Overview

Going Deeper

Key Takeaways

Practical Application

Reflection

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