The Fear of God

Question?   -   Newsletter   -   New!
Study Proverbs by Topic!
Alcohol   -   Anger   -   Correction
Happiness   -   Health   -   Poverty   -   Pride
Truth vs. Lies   -   Wealth   -   Women   -   More!
What exactly is the fear of God? The word used for 'fear' in the Book of Proverbs comes from the Hebrew word yirah (Strong's Concordance #H3374). It means to morally reverence or revere. God wants man to take His words seriously and put them into practice. He deserves worship and respect as the loving Creator of all things.

The world's definition of fear is one that is an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger against our lives, possessions, loved ones, and so on. The fear of God, however, is something entirely different.

Fear is not an emotion most people like to feel and is certainly not how God wants to be viewed or treated! In fact, the kind of love and Godly reverence believers are to develop is the exact opposite of what springs from human nature.

The apostle John reveals the truth about this trait when he says, "The one who does not love does not know God because God is love . . . And the one who fears has not been made perfect in the love of God" (1John 4:8, 18).

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil (Proverbs 16:6).

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be in the fear of the Lord all the day long (Proverbs 23:17).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).

Then they shall call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:25 - 29).


World's Wit and Wisdom
A fanatic is a man who does
what he thinks the Lord would
do if He knew the facts of the case.
Finley Peter Dunne, 1865 - 1936

What men usually ask God
when they pray is that
two and two not make four.
Anonymous

Search for them (wisdom and understanding) as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:4 - 5).

Don't be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality (Proverbs 3:7 - 8).

The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility (Proverbs 15:33).

The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil (Proverbs 19:23).

I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God does it so that men should fear before Him (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech (Proverbs 8:13).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).


World's Wit and Wisdom
To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.
Thomas Aquinas, 1225 - 1274

A man with God
is always in the majority.
John Knox, 1513 - 1572

It is not death that a man should fear,
but he should fear never beginning to live.
Marcus Aurelius

For in the multitude of dreams and many words vanities abound; but fear God (Ecclesiastes 5:7).

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge (Proverbs 14:26).

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:27).

My son, fear God (the Lord) and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? (Proverbs 24:21 - 22).

Recommended Articles
The Best Bible Verses about Fear!
What Exactly Is Faith?
Are the Ten Commandments Still Relevant?
How Did the Devil Deceive Eve?
How to Worship God in Spirit and Truth!
Could Jesus Have Sinned?
Who Is the Angel of the Lord?
How Do We Become a Living Sacrifice?

Proverbs by Topic!
Introduction to Proverbs
Adultery    -    Blessings    -    Children
Debt    -    Envy    -    Fools
God Hates    -    Good and Evil
Hope and Mercy
Judgment    -    Justice    -    Laziness
The Mouth    -    Parents    -    Trials
Trust & Faith    -    Virtuous Wife
The Way of the Lord
Wisdom    -    The Wise