Fear Of God! [Archive] - Christian Forums

View Full Version : Fear Of God!

spirit1st

10th December 2005, 03:22 AM

Entertaining_Angels

10th December 2005, 04:35 AM

<H5>Luke 1

Mary's Song

46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

</H5>
Acts 9
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 10
34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Acts 13
26"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.

1 Peter 1
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 2
16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Well, there are many verses throughout the Bible from which to choose. Personally, I think the church here in America has largely fallen away from God and I think part of it is that our nation, our churches have forgotten what it means to fear the Lord.

lipoftruth

10th December 2005, 08:05 AM

i believe that it is only when you truly fear God that you can truly appreciate his mercy... he doesn't owe us anything.

Knight

10th December 2005, 10:28 AM

Well, there are many verses throughout the Bible from which to choose. Personally, I think the church here in America has largely fallen away from God and I think part of it is that our nation, our churches have forgotten what it means to fear the Lord.

Amen Sis.

Somewhere we seem to have forotten the magnitude of the God whom we serve. I know I posted as much in another thread but I keep coming back to Isaiah:

Isaiah 6:1-5 ESV In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (2) Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. (3) And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (4) And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (5) And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

Isaiah was literally floored by God's majesty, power and absolute holiness.

The same applies to Christ as seen in the following:

John 20:27-28 ESV Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." (28) Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Thomas immediately acknowledged Christ for who He is.

By far, my favorite passage which goes to the holiness and awe of Christ is this:

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We serve a mighty and holy God. Amen?

He deserves our utmost praise, worship, love, and respect.

Raistlinorr

10th December 2005, 02:29 PM

[b] </H5>

Well, there are many verses throughout the Bible from which to choose. Personally, I think the church here in America has largely fallen away from God and I think part of it is that our nation, our churches have forgotten what it means to fear the Lord.

Well said. I agree.

God Bless
Raist

spirit1st

11th December 2005, 12:22 AM

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

YOU PEOPLE GET THE UNDERSTANDING ,of this scripture?You will have a little knowledge of the TRUTH!
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

ASK THE HOLY GHOST TOO TEACH YOU AND DO NOT FOLLOW MEN!
2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen

Knight

11th December 2005, 09:55 AM

Actually we're talking about awe, respect and humility which is contextually what the phrase "fear of God" means.

Perhaps you should define what you mean by the term.

AllMyPraise

11th December 2005, 09:51 PM

One of God's requirements is to fear Him (that is to respect and reverence Him).
Deuteronomy 10:12-13, "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"
God teaches those who fear Him.
Psalm 25:12, "Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best."

Fearing God brings wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

The fear of the Lord is more valuable than wealth.
Proverbs 15:16, "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil."

The fear of the Lord provides a refuge for children.
Proverbs 14:26-27, "He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death."

spirit1st

11th December 2005, 11:40 PM

LOVE IS GREATER THAN FEAR!
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.
Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
GOD IS LOVE,AND NOTHING IS MORE POWERFUL THAN GOD!

Entertaining_Angels

12th December 2005, 12:06 AM

I was raised with a very materialistic brand of christianity. One thing I've learned, you cannot take one idea in the Bible and exclude everything else. Once you do so, you've lost the message.

Don't throw out the verses on fear because you want to focus on the love aspect. Instead read, study and pray about how these concepts actually complement each other.

God bless you.

spirit1st

12th December 2005, 02:32 AM

AS we grow in the LORD,We become more like HIM.Of course once BORN of GOD!Our spirit are already like HIm.But the mind needs to be taught.
I KNOW THE LORD WELL!
OUR thinking must be changed to think like the LORD JESUS CHRIST .But the soul or mind[same] is programed to think like the world.it lives by sight mainly.
But we MUST LIVE BY FAITH!
WE accept the LIVING WORD as a child would!
Our thinking should be changing always as we become more like HIm.if this is not happening.Then we are either not HIS ,or we refuse to grow!
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
THIS IS THE NEW SPIRIT of a person ,BORN OF GOD!

THIS IS THE TEACHER
2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

I know this to be true!As I have experianced most everything in the new testament!

Knight

12th December 2005, 05:57 PM

spirit1st,

Questions:

What does the phrase "fear of God" mean to you? How are you defining it?

Exactly how do you love God?

In order to have a reasonable discussion on this I think you need to clarify a few things so we're all talking on the same page.

spirit1st

13th December 2005, 09:46 AM

FEAR,is a feeling of being afraid,of something.because you believe it can hurt you!The begining of wisdom is fearing GOD.BUt once we know this GOD OF LOVE,WE WILL NO LONGER FEAR HIM.BUT LOVE YOU ,WITH SUCH GREAT LOVE,It by passes fear.BECAUSE WE THEN UNDERSTAND.HE HAS DONE EVERYTHING TO BRING US TOO HIM.AND WANTS ONLY TO BLESS US AND LOVE US AND CARE FOR US!YOU SEE?The whole point of life?Is for GOD ,too have HIS OWN CHILDERN.JUST LIKE HE THINKS.HE OFFERS EVERYTHING TO THE FEW,WHO WILL HEED THE CALL.It is once we are born of GOD,Then the spirit is like HIS SON,But the mind must be trained to accept the things of GOD.Which are just the opposite of the way the world operates.You understand?People who do not have the gifts ,the signs and wonders and many more things ,the LORD said ?We would have!Are lacking in knowledge or understanding,or LOVE,or TRUTH.BECAUSE HE SAID!
Then to debate on LOVE or fear.Is silly.BECAUSE you already know,Your not in the right thinking.I have had most everything in the new testament.raising the dead ,healings ,casting out demons,death 2 times my self.many miracles.Buit that only means ,I could accept these things.It does not make me more than you.BECAUSE WE ARE ONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST JESUS.NONE HIGHTER THAN THE OTHER.Just a LITTLE MORE TRUTH!BLESS YOU IN YOUR WALK WITH OUR LORD!

Knight

13th December 2005, 06:47 PM

Please don't be offended but I'm going to assume that english is not your first language...

FEAR,is a feeling of being afraid,of something.because you believe it can hurt you!The begining of wisdom is fearing GOD.BUt once we know this GOD OF LOVE,WE WILL NO LONGER FEAR HIM.BUT LOVE YOU ,WITH SUCH GREAT LOVE,It by passes fear.BECAUSE WE THEN UNDERSTAND.HE HAS DONE EVERYTHING TO BRING US TOO HIM.AND WANTS ONLY TO BLESS US AND LOVE US AND CARE FOR US!

So revering, respecting, and holding Him in high esteem is not showing love to God? This is what the phrase "fear of God" actually means.

YOU SEE?The whole point of life?Is for GOD ,too have HIS OWN CHILDERN.JUST LIKE HE THINKS.HE OFFERS EVERYTHING TO THE FEW,WHO WILL HEED THE CALL.It is once we are born of GOD,Then the spirit is like HIS SON,But the mind must be trained to accept the things of GOD.Which are just the opposite of the way the world operates.You understand?People who do not have the gifts ,the signs and wonders and many more things ,the LORD said ?We would have!Are lacking in knowledge or understanding,or LOVE,or TRUTH.BECAUSE HE SAID!

Actually I have a very hard time understanding anything you are saying here. Would you be able to clarify this a bit?

Then to debate on LOVE or fear.Is silly.BECAUSE you already know,Your not in the right thinking.I have had most everything in the new testament.raising the dead ,healings ,casting out demons,death 2 times my self.many miracles.Buit that only means ,I could accept these things.It does not make me more than you.BECAUSE WE ARE ONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST JESUS.NONE HIGHTER THAN THE OTHER.Just a LITTLE MORE TRUTH!BLESS YOU IN YOUR WALK WITH OUR LORD!

Again, no offense but I highly doubt you have experienced everything in the New Testament. I'm going to have to ask you to prove this one.

Also, I am not debating on fear or love.... You are. You say that we shouldn't fear God but rather love Him. I submit that showing God the reverence, awe, and respect (ie: Fear of God) is a way to show love to Him.

spirit1st

15th December 2005, 06:48 AM

Of course any BORN OF GOD,Will always look up to GOD ,We will be LED by HIm.And always bow before HIm,And worship HiM .BECAUSE we LOVE HIM.Not because we must or fear ,HE will hurt us.BUT BECAUSE WE KNOW HIM AS FATHER AND FRIEND.
NO I DID NOT SAY WE SHOULD NOT FEAR GOD!
I SAID ONCE WE KNOW HIM WELL!WE WILL NOT FEAR HIM,BUT LOVE HIM MORE THAN LIFE ITS SELF.
But as you know?The begining of wisdom is the fear of the LORD.Because at that time?You see the great power of GOD .and know?HE can destory anything and anyone!
LOVING THE LORD.is ?Because you see HIm for who and what HE is.
Because you understand all that hE has done for You and all HE is doing for YOU and How Much HE gave up for you.And understanding HE suffers ,when you do evil.It hurts HIm to see you do evil or hurt your self.HE IS LOVE.
PURE LOVE.LOVE SO GREAT?I DO NOT THINK ANY OF US TRULY SEE IT ALL.
But HE is HOLY and has rules in HIS KINGDOm.Rules that HE will not breake.One rule is?HE cannot allow sin in HIS KINGDOM.That is why?MAN KIND MUST DIE.sin is a killer ,it destorys everything.as we see.even the eartyh its self is suffering from sin.it is being destoryed even now.slowly dying.falling apart.in time?There would be no earth.But of course before that?He will destory it HIMSELF and create a new one!

THE MIN OR SOUL[same ]is trained for the things of this world.and we know the things of GOD are opposit the things of this world.With the world thing we could not serve GOD!
Because we do not live by sight.We live by FAITH .FAITH ,that every WORD in the bible is true.FAITH ,that ,GOD HIM SELF WILL TEACH US!
FAITH TO RECIEVE ,ALL THE GIFTS AND SPIRITUAL THINGS ,HE HAS PROMISED US!
And there is many ,that few experiance or even know are real!
of course we read them,but many say?they were for before or they don"t need them or some other silly thing.As if GOD CHANGED OVER NIGHT!
The problem as I see it?We do not have a relationship with the HOLY GHOST!We don"t talk with HIm or HEAR HIM TALK.
JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIMTO US.SO WE COULD LEARN AND BE USED,AND THAT HE WOULD LIFT UP JESUS CHRIST IN OUR LIFES.YOU DO UNDERSTAND?THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS POWER!WE ARE PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.SO SHOULD HAVE POWER!
But few do???
BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ACCEPT GODS WORD AS TRUTH!
unbelief is alive and well.SADLEY!
MEN FOLLOWING MEN is the problem.People are not following JESUS CHRIST!BECAUSE IF WE DID?HE SAID GREATER WORKS WILL THESE DO!
WE SHOULD BE RAISIING THE DEAD HEALING THE SICK ,CASTING OUT DEMONS.BRING LIGHT INTO DARKNESS .THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW JESUS CHRIST,Look what a few did in the 1st church.Where are the mighty people of GOD TODAY???
WE instead argue the scripture,seperate ourselves.Each thinking he is right,all others wrong.looking for only those who will agree with us!
How silly we are!Who is the HOLY GHOST LEADING?2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
BLESS YOU,MAY THE HOLY GHOST OPEN YOUR HEAT TO BE FILLED WITH GOD LOVE AND TRUTH.MAY YOU KNOW THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST IN YOUR LIFE.MAY YOU LEAD MANY INTO THE KINGDOM AND PLANT MANY SEEDS OF TRUTH.IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

Entertaining_Angels

15th December 2005, 01:28 PM

Lots of shouting in that last post. I couldn't get through it. No need to be angry :)

Knight

15th December 2005, 06:04 PM

It is virtually impossible to follow your posts. Very garbled and confusing. No sentence structure to speak of and no cohesiveness at all.

I apologize if english is not your first language. However, unless we can speak on equal, coherent terms I'm afraid our discussion is over.

adnilgnav

16th December 2005, 04:42 PM

that is true so very true.

Timmothy

16th December 2005, 04:49 PM

I fear God..I dont think it is going to be that easy to get in heaven. Not with all the sin that is around today...So yes I fear God alot....I work harder and harder every day to make my relationship better with Jesus..When Iam tested which I think iam alot, I try to make the best decision i can..now I dont think I pass every test throwen at me either, so that is why I FEAR God, because I want to please Him.

tomwhodson

16th December 2005, 06:07 PM

Yeah, I was getting really scared about gods wrath and hell after I had read some posts about it and some people that had witnessed it. And I was on my knees begging for forgiveness and my soul felt really scared. And then I thought I heard a voice or a breath and suddenly my soul became calm. I think I feared God too much to love him at the time and God helped me out.

God bless

spirit1st

16th December 2005, 11:59 PM

God Does Not Desire Our Fear!he Desires Our Love.he Wants Us To Love Because He 1st Loved Us.giving Himself For Us!
He Grow As A Little Baby And Suffered As A Child .and As A Man.dying A Very Bad Type Death.beaten And Toryued ,all For You!.yes Death Is Bad For People Who Refuse To Accept Him As Lord And Master.they Who Will Not Follow Him.because He Is Lord Anyway!but Still Wants Us Happy.because He Is A Giver And Not A Taker!.the World Is A Taker And User.if The Lord Uses Us.he Will Reward Us!here And Much More There.

Timmothy

17th December 2005, 01:53 AM

Entertaining_Angels

17th December 2005, 01:53 AM

Thanks for not yelling this time but you really cannot throw away Bible verses just because you do not agree with them. You've listed wonderful verses showing the love we have for the Lord but at the same time, we do fear Him:

Luke 1
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Acts 10:2
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Acts 10:22
The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say."
Acts 10:35
but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
Acts 13:26
"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent
Acts 13:50
But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
Acts 17:4
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.
Romans 3
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."[c (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-27989c)]
13"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."[d (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-27990d)]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[e (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-27990e)]
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[f (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-27991f)]
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17and the way of peace they do not know."[g (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-27994g)]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."[h (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-27995h)]
2 Corinthians 5
[ The Ministry of Reconciliation ] Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
Ephesians 6
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Philipians 2
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Hebrews 11
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
1 Peter 1
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1 Peter 2
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Revelation14
He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
Revelation 15
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
Revelation 19
Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

Fear and love are not mutually exclusive concepts. I truly hope you read these verses in context and pray about them. I'll be honest, I do not believe we will find anybody in Heaven who does not both fear and love God. I believe that the lack of fear is a sign of a lukewarm church and we all know what God has warned about the lukewarm church.

Entertaining_Angels

17th December 2005, 02:00 AM

Just because I can see a 'bad seed' being planted in the thread, I'd like to share Hebrews 11. Please, take some time to read about people who had faith and their 'earthly rewards' now as opposed to what they are promised in Heaven. This is really worth reading and definitely worth praying over:

<H4>Hebrews 11

By Faith

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=31#fen-NIV-30168a)]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring[b (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=31#fen-NIV-30175b)] will be reckoned."[c (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=31#fen-NIV-30175c)] 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

23By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=31#fen-NIV-30186d)] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=31#fen-NIV-30188e)]

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned[f (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=31#fen-NIV-30194f)]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

</H4>

Timmothy

17th December 2005, 02:12 AM

nice post oregal, so you think we should fear god and love him too..

HisLilyWhitePrincess

17th December 2005, 02:17 AM

I don't think it means so much in the way that many people today think of fear as. To fear the Lord means more like respect to me...but I could be wrong.

Timmothy

17th December 2005, 02:20 AM

I don't think it means so much in the way that many people today think of fear as. To fear the Lord means more like respect to me...but I could be wrong.

I think that makes more since, i feel more that i respect the lord and i know what he could do, so i try not to test him...

spirit1st

17th December 2005, 07:19 AM

THE WORLD SHOULD FEAR HIM,
The begining of wisdom is fear!
But GOD IS LOVE,WE ARE TO TAKE ON THE MIND OF CHRIST JESUS!
HE IS LOVE.
PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUR ALL FEAR!
DOES ANT BELIEVE THIS SCRIPTURE?
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
THIS IS WHO WE ARE IN OUR NEW CREATURE,BORN OF LOVE.OR WE CAN SAY?BORN OF GOD!
BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE!
YOU UNDERSTAND?WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD?ONCE BORN OF GOD!
WE ARE JUST TRAPPED IN THESE BODYS.WE THEN SPIRITS LIKE OUR LORD!
WE ARE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.NO ONE LIVES IN ANY FEAR THERE!
WE ACCEPT THESE THINGS BY FAITH!BECAUSE THE HOLY GHOST TEACHES US THESE THINGS AND NOT THE WEAK MIND OR PEOPLE OF THE EARTH!
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

OF COURSE THIS IS THE MIND OF OUR LORD ,WHICH WE ARE TO BECOME?
SOME DO?SOME DO NOT SEEM TOO?

1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Entertaining_Angels

17th December 2005, 03:27 PM

But, so many of us see how the verses you shared and verses I shared complement one another.

There is a big difference as evidenced by what we read in the Bible between fear of things of the world and fear of God.

Please, do not throw away verses in the Bible just because you do not understand them. Pray about them. I left teachings that had no fear of the Lord and, you know, they were incredibly deceptive, based on emotion and pulled people away from our one, true God. I know this is very common in our culture and I really am hopeful that just by you posting this you are actively seeking God's perfect Truth.

God bless.

spirit1st

17th December 2005, 05:35 PM

Well,Lets just think on this?WE are HIS CHILDERN,HE IS LOVE.HE wants HIS KIDS TOO BE LOVE!
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
You see dear sister.Fear is unhealthy.
it hurts us!HE does not want us hurt!
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
ONCE BORN OF GOD
BECAUSE OUR REAL US,which is a spirit like GOD.Is LOVE.
The problem with us is?reprograming the mind.To think like JESUS CHRIST.You see?We already are like HIM in our inner man.But the outward mind.has not be trained to think like HIm.
If you can recieve this scripture?You will understand MUCH!
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

because as he is, so are we in this world.

FEW CAN BELIEVE THIS,it would appear.it changes many of our thoughts
if we truly believe we are like HE is RIGHT NOW!
NOW WE CANNOT SEE THIS!AS YOU MAY WELL KNOW?THE JUST LIVE BY FAITH.BELIEVING THE LIVING WORD!The bible teaches we are like HIm now.once born of GOD!
I hope this does not confuse you too much?

Entertaining_Angels

17th December 2005, 07:01 PM

No, it doesn't confuse too much because I used to believe as you do but now I know I cannot truly know God without a fear of God, my Heavenly Father who does love me very much.

God bless.

spirit1st

17th December 2005, 08:22 PM

If you feel ,you must fear GOD,Then fear!
But I know my FATHER will never harm me.HE LOVES ME TOO MUCH .AND HIS LOVE PAID a VERY HIGH PRICE FOR ME!

Godslilgurlalways

18th December 2005, 11:56 PM

I feel that yes we need to and the word of God proves it below:

Deuteron. 6:13 Fear the Lord you God, serve him, Deuteron. 10:12 but to fear the Lord you God,13:12 and learn to fear the Lord your God, Psalms 19:9 The fear of the Lord is Pure (Ps.=Psalms) 111:10 fear of the Lord is the beginning (Pr.=Proverbs) Pr. 8:13 to fear the Lord is to hate evil, Pr.10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length, 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain, 15:33 fear of the Lord teaches a man(woman or man), 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, Isa. 11:3 delight in the fear o the Lord, Luke 12:5 I will show you whom you should fear, Php. 2:12 to work out your salvation with fear, Job 1:8 a man who fears God and shuns evil, Pr. 31:30 a woman that fearth the Lord, she shall be praised.

These are some verses that talk about fear is needed and we need it with out fear we can boost ourselves, and more fear of God is pure and need I mean we are under him he is a father and he loves us but it's not the fear you might be thinking of not fear like I am scared to pray not like that it's different.

spirit1st

19th December 2005, 03:14 PM

Entertaining_Angels

19th December 2005, 03:20 PM

So, in a nutshell, you feel that the Bible verses about fearing God are lies and we can only believe the ones about loving Him? You'd love the word of faith movement. You can find entire books devoted to just the verses in one way of thinking.

Personally, I believe we are to love and fear Him so I prefer to take the Bible in its entirety.

laughing247

20th December 2005, 02:22 PM

Fearing God to me is the same thing as knowing the difference between what is right and wrong. Also fearing Hell is fearing God.

spirit1st

21st December 2005, 09:03 AM

We understand HIS GREAT POWER.But still,we KNOW THE PRICE HE PAID,And WHY HE PAID IT.If WE OBEY HIM.WE KNOW HE WILL NEVER HARM US OR ALLOW OTHERS TO HARM US!.IF THEY DO?HE DEALS HARD WITH THEM!

holo

21st December 2005, 09:34 AM

WE KNOW HE WILL NEVER HARM US OR ALLOW OTHERS TO HARM US!.IF THEY DO?HE DEALS HARD WITH THEM!Actually, He won't. There are plenty of testimonies of christians who've been persecuted and tortured and led their oppressors to Christ. And Paul's story is like that too. God didn't give him justice, but grace. And He allowed both christians to suffer under Paul, and Paul suffer under the Romans.

And He hasn't dealt "hard" with you either. If He had chosen to do that, you'd be lost.

Entertaining_Angels

21st December 2005, 09:59 AM

We understand HIS GREAT POWER.But still,we KNOW THE PRICE HE PAID,And WHY HE PAID IT.If WE OBEY HIM.WE KNOW HE WILL NEVER HARM US OR ALLOW OTHERS TO HARM US!.IF THEY DO?HE DEALS HARD WITH THEM!

Wow, talk about skipping over large parts of the New Testament.

Some time, read and pray about Hebrews 11. It'll be an eye opener for you.

spirit1st

23rd December 2005, 12:27 AM

To die for the LORD ,is an honor!I have had a guy try to kill me!He could not.His hands shook ,trying to pull the trigger.twice in about 15 minutes!
Of course ,if we die?We are in NEW JERUSALEM,before we have time to think!
Psa 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
DEATH IS NOTHING!Just changing bodys!
We are here,then there.
I know!I been there!
I know its a little hard to believe.But it is nothing for the LORD OF MIRACLES!
Joh 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
HE DOES NOT SAY ?WE MIGHT HAVE THEM!
AND MUCH MORE,I MIGHT ADD!

Ih8s8n

24th December 2005, 03:56 PM

1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

THE INNER BEING IN YOU,if BORN OF GOD!Has no fear of GOD!But will follow HIm out of LOVE!Because?HE IS JUST LIKE JESUS CHRIST.Do you think?Our LORD JESUS CHRIST HAD FEAR OF GOD?
PURE LOVE ,IS FAR GREATER THAN FEAR!
satan bring fear
GOD BRINGS LOVE!

Yes, I do believe that our Lord Jesus Christ had fear of God. In fact, I KNOW He did.

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."(Isaiah 11:1-4)

That was an Old Testament prophecy regarding our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."(Hebrews 5:7-10)

When Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, he was heard in that he feared. What type of "fear" do you think this was talking about? It was "the fear of God". Additionally, you need to read the whole epistle of I John and not just quote some verses "out of context". The way that you quote the verse that speaks about "perfect love casting out all fear", you make it sound as if this simply means that if we understand how "perfectly" God "loves" us , then we have nothing to fear. This, however, is clearly not the case if we read the whole epistle of I John. Prior to the verses that you quoted, we read in regards to "perfect love":

"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."(I John 2:4-5)

Whoa! Hold on there! Now we've got a completely different ballgame. Here, John is clearly speaking of our "perfect love" for God which is manifested by our keeping His word. You've got it the other way around. This is the same John who recorded the following words of Jesus in the gospel of John:

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."(John 14:21)

Let me put it to you this way. Let's say you were being summoned before a judge tomorrow and you knew that you hadn't broken any law. Would you be afraid? No, of course not. You've been a law abiding citizen and you have nothing to fear. So it is with God. If you fulfill the "royal law"(James 2:8) of love, then, on the day of God's judgment, you have nothing to fear. However, if you break this law, then you need to be afraid. I'm not suggesting that we'll never momentarily break this law, but we do need to genuinely repent when we do and continue to grow up in love. I have much to say about some of your other statements, but this is all for now.

spirit1st

25th December 2005, 01:20 AM

FEAR is the begining,BUT LOVE IS THE END!
BECAUSE WE WILLUNDERSTAND?HE DID ALL THINGS OUT OF LOVE FOR US AND WE WILL NOT FEAR HIM>BUT LOVE HIM WITH THE SAME LOVE AS HE LOVED US!Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2Jo 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love
1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jo 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
I GUESS IT IS TRUE?FEW KNOW THE LORD!
LOVE IS OF GOD!AND WE ARE TO BECOME LOVE!

Amandax3God

25th December 2005, 01:25 AM

I should have probably took the time to read all the pages in the forum, but I can't really "fear" God. I love him so dearly!!! Though I suppose there are numerous quotes from the bible that suppost fearing God. But in this sense, when they mean "fear", do they mean like -scared- or, the awareness of Gods Almighty Power? :scratch:

spirit1st

25th December 2005, 01:37 AM

WELL,I do not fear MY FATHER AT ALL!BUT DO KNOW HIS GREAT POWER!
AND OBEY HIM OUT OF LOVE!BECAUSE I KNOW,IT HURTS HIM TO SEE US DO EVIL.I HATE EVIL.BUT NOT BECAUSE ,I FEAR WHAT MY FATHER WILL DO?BUT BECAUSE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

NOW YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE THIS?But i have been dead twice.Once before the NEW BIRTH ,once after.I went to our city and ask to return ,for my wife and childern sake!
Well ,of course ,HE allowed me to return.But personally?If it your time?You should not want too return for any reason!
It was ALL ABOUT LOVE,when HE created the earth and it will be all about LOVE,WHEN HE RECREATES THE EARTH AGAIN!
JUST AS HE RECREATES US!AT OUR NEW BIRTH!

Amandax3God

25th December 2005, 02:18 AM

spirit1st

25th December 2005, 03:53 PM

2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? I (speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Jam 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
ONCE OUR SPIRIT LEAVES THESE BODYS.THEY ARE DEAD!

catlover

25th December 2005, 04:53 PM

You know?When we get really close to the LORD,We do not fear HIm any more.But LOVE HIM so much,we cannot stand too do evil.Because we then know?It HURTS HIM VERY DEEPLY ,And we cannot stand to know ,HE IS SUFFERING!
Fear of The Lord is an unpopular idea. BUT, it is mentioned several times in Proverbs the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

spirit1st

25th December 2005, 07:26 PM

1Jo 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

~HopeFloats~

25th December 2005, 07:37 PM

I do think we concentrate more on having a loving relationship with God then a fearful one..But with having a love for God you are respectful, fearful opf HIM.

I know now I have more of awareness of my actions and think what would God want me to do in doing that I am being fearful.

spirit1st

25th December 2005, 08:15 PM

The More We Become Like Him?the More We Love,the Less We Fear!
Love Is Far More Powerful Than Fear!

catlover

26th December 2005, 02:51 PM

The More We Become Like Him?the More We Love,the Less We Fear!
Love Is Far More Powerful Than Fear!

One can love and fear someone at the same time. I think love is good, but a respectful love with fear is good. The Bible mentions this many times. Fear and love are a better combination.

Exodus 1:17
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Exodus 18:21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=18&verse=21&version=31&context=verse)
But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Psalm 118:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=118&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."

Proverbs 10:27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=10&verse=27&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Proverbs 9:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=9&verse=10&version=31&context=verse)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 14:26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=14&verse=26&version=31&context=verse)
He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

Acts 5:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=5&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Acts 9:31 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=9&verse=31&version=31&context=verse)
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 10:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=10&verse=2&version=31&context=verse)
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=10&verse=22&version=31&context=verse)
The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say."

Acts 13:26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=13&verse=26&version=31&context=verse)
"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.

Spectre01

28th December 2005, 04:11 AM

I was reading through Job, while Job was questioning God, and I realised how much He doesn't owe us at all. We are the bad guys here, and thats not an easy thing to say... But we still have His love, and that is sufficient.

spirit1st

28th December 2005, 09:24 AM

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
GOD IS LOVE!WE ARE TO BE COME LOVE!

catlover

28th December 2005, 10:07 AM

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
GOD IS LOVE!WE ARE TO BE COME LOVE!

Spirit love is lovely. However, love with a healthy respect, fear, is, also, shown in The Bible to be a good attribute.

spirit1st

3rd January 2006, 09:45 PM

DON"T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND?
HE IS LOVE,WE ARE TOO BECOME LOVE!
Once we truly know HIM well,and take on the mind of JESUS CHRIST?THERE WILL BE NO PLACE FOR FEAR OR BEING FAITHLESS!
What you do not see is?

IF YOU ARE BORN OF GOD?
THIS IS YOUR INNER MAN!
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

NOW THIS IS A LITTLE HARD TO BELIEVE FOR MANY?BUT NONE THE LESS TRUE!
AS JESUS CHRIST IS RIGHT NOW?WE ARE IN THIS WORLD!
NOW OF COURSE ,THIS IS THE PART OF US,THAT GOES TO HEAVEN AFTER DEATH or shedding of the weak flesh!
But the true us!
BUT ,HE WANTS US TO WALK IN THIS NEW CREATURE!FEW DO?Or even know anything about the inner man!
But you see?We are to learn and know about him and allow him to gain control of the flesh,then we will not sin!
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Not many,even understand the things i say?
But they are true!
I have some,spiritual understanding!More than many!But not all knowing!

WE ALREADY HAVE THESE FRUITS IN THE INNER MAN!
BECAUSE HE IS BORN OF GOD!
NEW CREATURE.JUST LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!BUT at frist,a baby in the spirit.It must grow to be used perfectly of our LORD AND MASTER.JESUS CHRIST!
I AM VERY WISE IN THE NEW CREATURE.AND WALKING IN HIM.AND fasting!

Knight

6th January 2006, 09:17 AM

In reading "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan I ran across the best description yet of what the right fear of God is.

The following is an exact quote from the book:

"CHRISTIAN: True or right fear is discovered by three things:
1. By its rise: it is caused by saving convictions for sin.
2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation.
3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence for God, His Word, and ways; keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from them, to the right hand or to the left, to anything that may dishonor God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproachfully."

GodsNhilist

6th January 2006, 09:22 AM

If you live your life in a humanitarian way, involve yourself in charity and avoid hurting others (as much as possible), have empathy and remorse when you fail, why fear?

catlover

6th January 2006, 10:50 AM

Entertaining_Angels

6th January 2006, 03:43 PM

Yes, I understand. I have read that fearing the Lord leads to wisdom. One can love and fear at the same time. We can be a new creature and fear God.

Yes, Proverbs.

Just for the fun of it, I did a search of the word 'fear' in proverbs and Psalms and here is some of what I got (worth reading):

Psalm 2:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=2&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Psalm 15:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=15&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
Psalm 19:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=19&verse=9&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
Psalm 22:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=22&verse=23&version=31&context=verse)
You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
Psalm 22:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=22&verse=25&version=31&context=verse)
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
Psalm 25:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=25&verse=12&version=31&context=verse)
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
Psalm 25:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=25&verse=14&version=31&context=verse)
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalm 31:19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=31&verse=19&version=31&context=verse)
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 33:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=33&verse=8&version=31&context=verse)
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.
Psalm 33:18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=33&verse=18&version=31&context=verse)
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
Psalm 33:17-19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=33&verse=17&end_verse=19&version=31&context=context) (in Context) Psalm 33 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=33&version=31&context=chapter) (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 34:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=34&verse=7&version=31&context=verse)
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=34&verse=9&version=31&context=verse)
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
Psalm 34:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=34&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 36:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=36&verse=1&version=31&context=verse)
[ For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. ] An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psalm 40:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=40&verse=3&version=31&context=verse)
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:2-4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=40&verse=2&end_verse=4&version=31&context=context) (in Context) Psalm 40 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=40&version=31&context=chapter) (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 55:19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=55&verse=19&version=31&context=verse)
God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them— Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.
Psalm 55:18-20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=55&verse=18&end_verse=20&version=31&context=context) (in Context) Psalm 55 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=55&version=31&context=chapter) (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 60:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=60&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Selah
Psalm 61:5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=61&verse=5&version=31&context=verse)
For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Psalm 64:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=64&verse=9&version=31&context=verse)
All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
Psalm 66:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=66&verse=16&version=31&context=verse)
Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
Psalm 67:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=67&verse=7&version=31&context=verse)
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Psalm 76:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=76&verse=7&version=31&context=verse)
You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?
Psalm 76:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=76&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.
Psalm 76:10-12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=76&verse=10&end_verse=12&version=31&context=context) (in Context) Psalm 76 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=76&version=31&context=chapter) (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 85:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=85&verse=9&version=31&context=verse)
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Psalm 86:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=86&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 89:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=89&verse=7&version=31&context=verse)
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Psalm 90:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=90&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
Psalm 96:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=96&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm 102:15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=102&verse=15&version=31&context=verse)
The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
Psalm 103:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=103&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
Psalm 103:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=103&verse=13&version=31&context=verse)
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
Psalm 103:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=103&verse=17&version=31&context=verse)
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
Psalm 111:5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=111&verse=5&version=31&context=verse)
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
Psalm 111:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=111&verse=10&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 112:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=112&verse=1&version=31&context=verse)
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.'
Psalm 115:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=115&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
You who fear him, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.
Psalm 115:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=115&verse=13&version=31&context=verse)
he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.
Psalm 118:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=118&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."
Psalm 119:38 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=119&verse=38&version=31&context=verse)
Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.
Psalm 119:63 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=119&verse=63&version=31&context=verse)
I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
Psalm 119:74 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=119&verse=74&version=31&context=verse)
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:79 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=119&verse=79&version=31&context=verse)
May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.
Psalm 119:120 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=119&verse=120&version=31&context=verse)
My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
Psalm 128:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=128&verse=1&version=31&context=verse)
[ A song of ascents. ] Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
Psalm 128:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=128&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
Psalm 130:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=130&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Psalm 135:20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=135&verse=20&version=31&context=verse)
O house of Levi, praise the LORD; you who fear him, praise the LORD.
Psalm 145:19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=145&verse=19&version=31&context=verse)
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 147:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=147&verse=11&version=31&context=verse)
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
(continued...)

Entertaining_Angels

6th January 2006, 03:44 PM

...continuation because post was too long

Proverbs 1:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=1&verse=7&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:29 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=1&verse=29&version=31&context=verse)
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
Proverbs 2:5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=2&verse=5&version=31&context=verse)
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 3:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=3&verse=7&version=31&context=verse)
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Proverbs 8:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=8&verse=13&version=31&context=verse)
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 9:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=9&verse=10&version=31&context=verse)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 10:27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=10&verse=27&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Proverbs 14:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=14&verse=2&version=31&context=verse)
He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
Proverbs 14:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=14&verse=16&version=31&context=verse)
A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
Proverbs 14:26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=14&verse=26&version=31&context=verse)
He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
Proverbs 14:27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=14&verse=27&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
Proverbs 15:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=15&verse=16&version=31&context=verse)
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
Proverbs 15:33 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=15&verse=33&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 16:6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=16&verse=6&version=31&context=verse)
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
Proverbs 19:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=19&verse=23&version=31&context=verse)
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Proverbs 22:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=22&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
Proverbs 23:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=23&verse=17&version=31&context=verse)
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 24:21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=24&verse=21&version=31&context=verse)
Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious,
Proverbs 28:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=28&verse=14&version=31&context=verse)
Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Proverbs 29:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=29&verse=25&version=31&context=verse)
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
[/url][u]Proverbs 31:30 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=31&verse=21&version=31&context=verse)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

To love the Lord is to fear Him. I don't see how anybody could truly know their Bible and not reach that conclusion.

Dmckay

6th January 2006, 07:39 PM

Someone has already mentioned the most common definition of fear of the Lord being more of a sense of awe and wonder, but if you do a study of the passages and specific words used for fear in Scripture there a lot more to it. For example we have the passage from Paul in 2 Corinthians 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

This passage places fear of the Lord in the context of the Bema Seat judgment of Christ of the lives of believers. This judgment is not one of either salvation or damnation, but rather of reward or loss of reward for the way we have lived out lives for the Lord.

The following is a more complete study of the uses of Fearing G-d in Scripture:
JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?
All the things a person would hope to find in the proverbial pot of gold come with the fear of the Lord. They come, however, with a spiritual dimension which goes beyond the limitations of worldly riches, health, and honor.
The amazing rewards of learning the fear of the Lord are emphasized throughout Scripture. The following list covers only the references to the fear of the Lord in Psalms and Proverbs.
Check the benefits you want to experience in your own life:

To overcome sinful habits
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).

To begin learning knowledge
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1:7).

To start being wise
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

To have a longer life
“The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened”
(Proverbs 10:27).

To discover the fountain of life
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27).

To learn contentment
“Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Proverbs 15:16).

To grow in wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).

To get riches, honour, and life
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

To experience true worship
“But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Psalm 5:7).

To have no wants
“O fear the Lord. ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him” (Psalm 34:9).

To experience God’s salvation
“Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in ourland” (Psalm 85:9).

To receive daily provision
“He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant” (Psalm 111:5).

To experience strong confidence
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shalt have a place of refuge” (Proverbs 14:26).

To have a satisfying life
“The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23).

To share the secrets of the Lord
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Psalm 25:14).

To experience God’s goodness
“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Psalm 31:19).

To have constant protection
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19).

To be delivered from trouble
“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

To be looked to for truthfulness
“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth” (Psalm 60:4).

To receive a special heritage
“For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name” (Psalm 61:5).

To be given God’s mercy
“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11).

To have the Lord’s pity
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13).

To bring delight to the Lord
“The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 147:11)

To become a special treasure of God
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels…”(Malachi 3:16-17).

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FEARlNG THE LORD?
There is no restraint of evil.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
“Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bittemess: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:10-18).

There is no effective church discipline.
“And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things” (Acts 5:5).
“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (I Timothy 5:20).

There is no guard against wrong church members.
“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things… And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them” (Acts 5:11-13).

There is no perfecting of holiness.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse oueselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1).

There is no Scriptural submission.
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21)

There is no maturity in salvation.
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

There is no entering into God’s rest.
“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).

There is no influence to unsaved husbands.
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear” (I Peter 3:1 -2).

There is no effective witnessing.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

There is no fulfilling of Godly desires.
“He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them” (Psalm 145:19).

There is no effective restoration.
“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23).

There is no courage for suffering.
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Since the fear of the Lord is this important, we can be sure that Satan will try to confuse our understanding of it!

WHAT IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?

Most Christians have little or no understanding of the “fear of the Lord.” Whenever the phrase comes up in Scripture (which is very often), it is quickly interpreted as simply a reverential trust in the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is NOT simply a “reverential trust.”

This bland definition fails to open up the power and significance of this concept or to explain the many results and rewards which are described in Scripture for those who have the fear of the Lord.
Particularly significant is the following verse which relates the fear of the Lord to the achievement of moral purity.
“…by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION:
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
The continual awareness that I am in the presence of a holy, just, and almighty God, and that every thought, word, action, and deed is open before Him and is being judged by Him.

The assurance that God is watching
If we knew that all of our secret thoughts, words, and actions would be displayed publicly so that everyone could watch them and evaluate them, it would make a profound difference in the way we live.
We have an instinctive concern about what others think of us and how they will judge the things we do. This concern constitutes a fear of man.
If we have this much concern over what man thinks, how much more should we be concerned about God’s evaluation of our thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, and motives.
The fact is that everything we think, say, and do will one day be displayed for all the world to see and judge.

•“…Thou God seest me…” (Genesis 16:13).

•“Thou knowest my downsifting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2).

•“For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether” (Psalm 139:4).

•“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee” (Psalm 139:12).

•“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

•“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10).

•“He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Psalm 94:9).

•“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings” (Proverbs 5:21).

•“For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes” (Jeremiah 16:17).

•“The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men” (Psalm 11:4).

The promise that secrets will be exposed

•“For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad” (Luke 8:17).

•“Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops” (Luke 12:3).

How would the fear of God change your life?
If you live in the daily reality that God is watching and evaluating everything you do, and that He is going to publicly expose and judge every secret sin…
• What thoughts would change?
• What words would not be spoken?
• What actions would cease?
• What attitudes would be corrected?
• What motives would be purified?

HOW IS THE WHOLESOME FEAR OF GOD DIFFERENT FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE FEAR OF SATAN?
It is significant that the same Hebrew and Greek words are used for both wholesome fear and destructive fear. Therefore, the difference between the two fears is not to be found in the words.
The fear of man or of Satan brings a snare, but the fear of God brings a blessing.
The Hebrew root for fear is (yah-RAH). It primarily means, “to frighten, to affright, be (made) afraid, to dread.” It is used in each of the following verses:
David said, “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments” (Psalm 119:120).
We are commanded to “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).
“And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies” (II Kings 17:38-39).
The Greek word for fear is (FAWboss). Originally this word had the meaning of “flight” or “that which causes a person to flee in dread and terror.”
When Jesus taught His disciples about what to fear and what not to fear, He used the same Greek word for both.
“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him” (Luke 12:4-5).
To fear the Lord goes far beyond the idea of reverential trust. It includes a controlling awe of His power and righteous retribution and a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.
Even though the same word is used for the various applications of fear, there are important distinctions:

Dmckay

6th January 2006, 07:41 PM

Continuation:
DESTRUCTIVE FEAR IS FEARING THE THUNDER lNSTEAD OF THE ONE WHO MADE THE THUNDER.
The Lord is a God of cause and effect. This is why He can demand obedience to His Law. He knows the outcome if we violate it.
It is also for this reason that He continually commands us not to focus our fear on the results of His working but instead on Him and His Law.
When the storm overtook the disciples on the sea, they feared the wind and the waves. Jesus instructed them not to fear these things; then He showed His power over the elements by calming the storm.

DESTRUCTIVE FEAR IS OVERCOME BY DYNAMlC FAITH.

For the Christian, lack of faith produces destructive fear. This is emphasized in Jesus’ statement to the disciples after He calmed the sea:

“…Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:38-40).
When God tells us to fear Him, He is requiring us to acknowledge an aspect of His character such as His justice, His holiness, or His power.
For each one of these attributes, God has a balancing attribute. For His justice, He shows mercy. For His holiness, He gives grace. For His power, He displays lovingkindness. The more we understand, acknowledge, and fear the first set of attributes, the more faith, hope, and confidence we have in the balancing set of qualities.

How does Godly fear produce faith?

A person with little faith but a great awareness of God’s power, justice, and holiness will be out of balance in his fear of the Lord.

In order to have a proper fear of the Lord, a person must increase his faith in the attributes which balance the ones that he fears.
This balance of fear and faith is illustrated throughout Scripture. Paul related his walk of faith and witness to his fear of God’s justice and righteousness in the following Scripture:
“(For we walk by faith, not by sight)…For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God…” (II Corinthians 5:7, 10-11).

The account of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4:23) provides a rich study of how the faith of Moses was strengthened in certain attributes of God when his fear of other attributes of God increased.

GOD’S ATTRIBUTES WHICH GOD’S ATTRIBUTES
CAUSED MOSES TO FEAR WHICH CAUSED MOSES
THE LORD TO GROW IN FAITH
God’s indestructibility God’s attentiveness
(The burning bush (He heard the cry of
was not consumed.) His people.)
God’s holiness God’s compassion
(Moses stood on (He understood the
holy ground.) sorrow of His people. )
God’s eternal nature God’s faithfulness
(He is the “I AM,” (His relationship
not the "I was.") continues with Abraham. )
God’s justice God’s lovingkindness
(He would bring (He purposed to
judgment to deliver Israel from
Pharaoh.) bondage.)
God’s wrath God’s provision
(He would destroy (He would give His
the wicked people a land of milk
Canaanites.) and honey.)

LEARN THE WORDS WHICH GOD USES TO DESCRIBE THE FEAR WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE FOR HIM.

TERROR
DEFINITION:
Terror describes the most extreme degree of fear. It is totally disabling to the one who experiences it, leaving that person with neither physical strength nor mental ability.

The root word for terror in the Hebrew language is (ghay-TAHTH). It means “to prostrate by confusion and fear.” The Greek root is (FAW-boss) which means “to terrify with exceeding alarm.”
This terror is precisely the experience which the Apostle John had when he looked upon the reality of God.
“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me… And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not…” (Revelation 1:12-17).

How does terror relate to the fear of the Lord?
The judgments of God are called “terrors” in Scripture. David declared:
“Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off” (Psalm 88:16).
There is no doubt that God’s judgments upon sin do bring terror to those who experience them. These judgments should be spoken of and described especially among God’s people so that even the thought of sin would strike terror in every heart.
This concept lies behind the warnings the Apostle Paul gave to the church at Corinth,
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10).
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” (II Corinthians 5:11)

FRlGHT
DEFINITION:
The Greek word for fright is (ekthahm-BEH-oh) which literally means “to shrink or shiver with fear.” It is a sudden violent fear caused by the appearance of danger and is distinguished from fear and dread by its sudden invasion and temporary existence.

When Jesus stilled the storm, His disciples experienced fright. “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41).

How does fright relate to the fear of God?
Fright often comes when we encounter a power which is far bigger than we are and which we do not understand.
This is consistently demonstrated in Scripture as people witnessed Christ’s supernatural power.
When Jesus cured the demoniac, the people feared. “Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear…” (Luke 8:37).

When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, they experienced fright. “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit” (Luke 24:36-37).

DlSMAY
DEFINITION:
Whereas terror and fright immediately affect the physical strength, dismay removes the mental ability of a person.
The Hebrew word which is translated dismay describes a condition of being drained of confidence and courage to the point where a person literally faints.
Our English word dismay probably came from the Teutonic des, which is a negative, and magen which means “to be strong” or “able.” Thus, to dismay is “to remove the strength or firmness of mind which constitutes courage.”
Faced with the presence of God’s power, majesty, and splendor, a person would be dismayed. When God appeared to Daniel in a vision, Daniel testified that there remained no strength in him and he was prostrate before the Lord.

“Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into comrption, and I retained no strength.
“Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
“And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling” (Daniel 10:8-11).

How does dismay relate to the fear of the Lord?
There is a great tendency among God’s people to be dismayed at the strength of the wicked. Thus, Scripture gives the command repeatedly, “…be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed…” (Joshua 1:9).
When we see the judgments of God on the children of disobedience, we should be dismayed and have no strength like Daniel. However, when we hear the voice of God giving reassurance and direction, we should be revived.
“Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me” (Daniel 10:18-19).

ASTONISHMENT
DEFINITION:
Astonishment relates to the inability to speak in the face of an awesome and overwhelming situation. The Greek word for astonish is (thahm-BEH-oh), meaning to “stupefy.”
Our English word comes from the French estoner. This word is derived from the Latin ex meaning “out,” and tonare meaning “to thunder.” It literally means, “to be thunderstruck, to be struck dumb.”
One who is truly astonished is stunned with sudden fear, wonder, and amazement.
When Paul was on the road to Damascus, he was astonished at the appearance of Christ and His message to him.
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?...” (Acts 9:5-6).

How does astonishment relate to fearing God?
In the presence of the omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing) God, we should hold our tongues in astonishment. God advises us, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). We are further warned in Ecclesiastes to hold our tongues when we go into the presence of God, and to be more ready to hear than to speak.
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

TREMBLlNG
DEFINITION:
Trembling is the physical result of overpowering fear. The English word comes from the Latin tremo, meaning “to shake involuntarily, to quiver, to quake.”
A graphic illustration of trembling occured in the life of Belshazzar.

“In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. “Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another… and his lords were astonished” (Daniel 5:5-9). Another example of trembling and trepidation is given in the account of the guarding of the tomb of Christ. “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men” (Mattheur 28:34).

DREAD
DEFINITION:
The word dread expresses more than fear but less than terror and fright. It refers to an intense uneasiness or alarm excited by expected pain, loss, or other harm. Also unlike the word terror, dread is less sudden and more sustained.
Daniel ascribed the quality of dread to God in his prayer. “And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments” (Daniel 9:4).
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).

How does dread relate to the fear of the Lord?
We should have such an awe at the power and authority of God that sinning against Him produces a fearful dread of sure judgment. On the other hand, the dread of God should not make us afraid if we are justified by Christ.
Job stated of God, “Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?” (Job 13:11). As for himself, he acknowledged his sin: “How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin” (Job 13:23).
However, he also said, “…I know that I shall be justified” (Job 13:18). Therefore he prayed, “…let not thy dread make me afraid” (Job 13:21).

CONSIDER HOW SMALL WE ARE IN COMPARISON TO OTHER THINGS WHICH GOD HAS MADE.
“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained: What is man, that thou art mindful of him?…” (Psalm 8:34).
David often expressed his awe of God by meditating on the power of God’s creation.
“…Give unto the Lord glory and strength… the God of glory thundereth… the voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars… the voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness… and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory” (Psalm 29:1, 3, 5, 8, 9).
When God gave His Law to the nation of Israel, He first revealed His mighty power through nature so that the people would learn to fear Him.
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off…
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not” (Exodus 20:18, 20).
Paul affirms the fact that God shows His mighty power through nature:
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his etema! power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20).

Dmckay

6th January 2006, 07:41 PM

Finalé:
REVERE THE UNIVERSAL, NON-OPTIONAL PRINCIPLES OF GOD’S WORD.
The fear of the Lord is learned by a daily commitment to the principles of God’s Word. This was the requirement of the kings and priests of Israel, just as it is today with Christians who are “kings and priests unto God.” (See Revelation 1:6).
“And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may leam to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them” (Deuteronomy 17:19). (See also Deuteronomy 4: 10, 6:24, 8:6, and 31:12-13).

HONOR GOD WlTH THE FIRST FRUlT OF ALL YOUR INCREASE.
The primary purpose of the tithe is not to support the work of the local church (although this is important). It is to teach the giver to fear the Lord. This truth is brought out in the following passage:
“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth…that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always” (Deuteronomy 24:22-23).
Long before the Law was given to Moses, Abraham demonstrated his fear of the Lord by giving tithes. (See Genesis 14:18-20.)
The fear of the Lord is acknowledging that God is in control of our funds and that He will reward our faith when we give to Him. On the other hand, when we try to withhold the tithe, the devourer is allowed to consume our resources. (See Malachi 3:8-11).
The Apostle Paul reaffirms the same truth in II Corinthians 9:6: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

RELATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN TO THE HOLINESS OF GOD.
The chastening of God for sin is painful. David expressed the pain of past failure in Psalm 51, and Paul reminded himself that if he did not keep his body under the strictest discipline, he would become a castaway. (See I Corinthians 9:27.)
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

WHAT HAPPENS TO A NATION THAT HAS NO FEAR OF GOD?
Scripture is filled with warnings and examples of severe judgments which God brings upon a nation that does not fear Him. Here are just three:
It will be the victim of its own wickedness.
Because there is no fear of God the people decide what is right and what is wrong. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes and the wickedness of immorality abounds.
God’s moral standards, however, do not change and He will not be mocked. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…” (Galatians 6:8).
With the onslaught of a host of venereal diseases, including AIDS, the warning of Jeremiah 2:19 is coming to pass in America.
“Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts.”

It’s legal system will become unjust.
When men’s hearts are set on doing evil, they will reinterpret existing laws and create new laws to justify greed and wickedness.
“But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart…Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord… yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they notjudge” (Jeremiah 5:23-24, 28).

Its wealth will be controlled by other nations.
When our nation trusted in God, read His Word in our public schools, and taught His moral standards in our classrooms, we were the richest nation in the world.
We are now the greatest debtor nation in the world. Scripture is clear that the borrower is servant to the lender. We are not only debtors, but citizens of other nations now own and control significant portions of our land, resources, and companies.
“The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:43-44).

WHAT IS GOD’S CURE FOR A NATION THAT DOES NOT FEAR HIM?
God’s only remedy for a nation that turns from Him is the active presence of righteous and Godfearing people. God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah had there been only ten righteous people in them.
Never before has it been so vital for God’s people to be totally dedicated to Him and living testimonies of the principles of His Word.
“…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).

spirit1st

6th January 2006, 09:34 PM

As we take on the mind of CHRIST JESUS!We fear the LORD less and less ,until ?We do not fear HIm at all.But hate to do anything evil.As we understand ?it hurts HIM!
Fear has bondage!perfect love,casts out ALL FEAR!
They did not understand GOD!
But we do!HE IS LOVE,LOVE GIVES MERCY!
THIS IS LOVE,THIS IS GOD!
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
HE IS LONG SUFFERING AND HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR YOU!
WE ARE TOO BECOME LIKE HIM!

spirit1st

6th January 2006, 10:30 PM

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
OUR SPIRITS ONCE BORN OF GOD?ARE JUST LIKE HIM.

vincejohn

7th January 2006, 12:15 AM

You must fear God and the sins we do.

catlover

7th January 2006, 09:26 PM

catlover

7th January 2006, 09:29 PM