Fear of the Lord

The Fear of the Lord is the Begining of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

 Proverbs 9:10 AMPC

[10] The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.

 Deuteronomy 3:1-4 NKJV

[1] "Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan; and Og king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. [2] And the LORD said to me, 'Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.' [3] "So the LORD our God also delivered into our hands Og king of Bashan, with all his people, and we attacked him until he had no survivors remaining. [4] And we took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we did not take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

 This is what the Lord shared with me concerning fear, He said do not be afraid of satanic powers that they have no power over you children of God except fear. The power of darkness uses fear to subjugate people and put them in bondage.

 That fear was not created in man, its the consequences of sin in the garden of Eden . The first thing Adam said after sinning was that he heard God walking in the garden and he hid because he was afraid and naked.

 Fear makes us naked and afraid, we either try to hide, justify or ignore our sin which perpetuate fear in us and makes the power of sin a stronghold in our lives.

 We are to fear not, focus on God and God alone, only his word can set us free from the bondage of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of poverty or lack, fear of rejection, and fear of death or sickness.

 When Jesus defeated Satan, the bible in  Revelation 12:11  says NKJV

[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

 Revelation 12:11 AMPC

[11] And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].

  That even the angels were not afraid of death, they welcome death if it comes and certainly they will not allow fear to stop them from affirming the victory in Jesus.

 What does that tells us we who are made of clay? That fear is alien to us, it’s unnatural and does not elevate God in us. If we fear, we become impotent, unable to do great things for the body of Christ or even for ourselves. Fear stops one in their tracks like a deer caught in the lights of an incoming vehicle. 

 Most hunters will tell you that when faced with a predator the best and only thing to do at that time is not to show fear . Animals sense fear and they act upon it. The same thing like satanic powers that sense your fear and use it to try and destroy you.

 This pandemic crisis has left a lot of people afraid of death, sickness, long Covid and even stop people going to church. Yes take precautions only a fool will not take precautions just as the bibles says that in 

Proverbs 22:3 AMPC

[3] A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].

 We are to examine carefully our steps but fear alone should not make us timid or lifeless. 

 Proverbs 14:15 AMPC

[15] The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going.

What is fear? 

 an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.

  There are primarily two types of fear. The fear that causes pain, danger and threat of harm.

 And there is the fear that is reverent and worshipful which is mainly given to God. 

 The fear that God wants or is talking about is the fear that you respect God and you are in awe of him. That you see him as your father, provider, protector and refuge. A God that all praise and honour is due to because of who he is, your maker and also the maker of all things; the invisible and the visible.

 It’s difficult to worship God in our strength of understanding because we cannot know God without his Spirit. And we know God through his son Jesus Christ whom made the father, God known to us.

 God is not pleased with the way we live or behave. We are hateful, and wicked to each other. We don’t show love or care for one another. That is not the intention or wish of God. He wants us to love each other has he has loved us in his son Jesus Christ.

We are born with love in our system, our spirit gravitates toward God in purpose and desire to do good. But due to the sinful nature of the flesh, we are thrust or jettisoned into the worldly way of doing things; which is all wrong and fearful.

 The first thing man learned after the fall was fear. Adam and Eve were afraid of God after sin came into their spirit. They were separated from the divine nature and they were afraid of the unknown, fear of harm and threat.

 The same type of fear Satan projects to peoples mind everyday, which consumes our love and kindness. When we  are so afraid of each other we start to become hateful and evil to one another.

 But the fear of God leads to wisdom, favour, kindness, knowledge, humility and a purposeful living. Because you love God, you will obey him and love everyone just as he has loved you. You love God because he loves you first. You fear the Lord because you want to please him. Not out of threat, harm or pain no but to guide you and correct you in this dangerous world. For we do live in a dangerous world.

 Zechariah 2:8-9 NKJV

[8] For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. [9] For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.

The fear of man  can lead to problems with God

we are not to fear man who is similar to us in every way ( we can respect them or even honour them but not worship them)

If you fear man more than you fear God then you have an idol - which is a sin against God’s commandments 

Saul feared the people more than he feared God (1 Samuel 15:24 NKJV [24] Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.)

 Proverbs 29:25 NKJV

[25] The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

 Proverbs 29:25 AMPC

[25] The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.

 Psalm 31:19 NKJV

[19] Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

How do we maintain the fear of God

 Continue in the word of God

by continuing in the word of God, we are able to be transformed and we are changed daily

Though we are not yet where we are but with focus and trust in God we will get to where we ought to be

Prayer and trusting in God is always the key to peace and not fear

And we also draw our strength from his word, that says the steps of a righteous man is ordered by the Lord.

Or where he says those that trust on the Lord will renew their strength Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV

[29] He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, [31] But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

  Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV

[5] Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Hebrews 13:6 AMPC

[6] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?

 1 John 4:18 NKJV

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

[7] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 2 Timothy 1:10 NKJV

[10] but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

 Jesus has indeed abolished death

Given us life and immortality 

And made us over comer in him as the redeemer in our life

 Psalm 34:9 NKJV

[9] Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.