“We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” - William Gurnall

FEAR GOD

FEAR GOD: SOMETHING THE WISE DO

Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV) 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise

wisdom and instruction.

FEAR GOD: SOMETHING THE PSALMIST PRAYED FOR

Psalm 86:11 (NKJV) 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart

to fear Your name.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD?

• Meaning: accompanies the idea of being afraid but goes beyond that• Reverence• Sense: the feeling of profound respect for someone or something• Even beyond these: fear to the extent that it moves one to worship in

consideration of the awesomeness of God• Carries with it idea that the reverence for God will move us to

complete submission to His will- Logos Bible Software; Bible Word Study, 2000-2013

FEARING GOD PRODUCES A HATRED OF EVIL WITHIN US

Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) 13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil

way And the perverse mouth I hate.

FEARING GOD PRODUCES A HATRED OF EVIL WITHIN US

What does it mean to be evil?Jeremiah 7:24 (NKJV)

24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

(Jeremiah 11:8 repeats this sentiment) 8 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone followed the dictates

of his evil heart; therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but which they have not done.’ ”

FEARING GOD PRODUCES A HATRED OF EVIL WITHIN US

Acts 13:22 (NKJV) 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of

Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

FEARING GOD MEANS THAT WE SERVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDS

Deuteronomy 10:12 (NKJV) 12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve

the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

THOSE WHO FEAR GOD WILL LIVE UPRIGHTLY

Exodus 18:21 (NKJV) 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear

God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of

tens.

THOSE WHO FEAR GOD WILL LIVE UPRIGHTLY

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear

of God.

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN

Exodus 1:17 (NKJV) 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt

commanded them, but saved the male children alive.

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN

Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) 6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What

can man do to me?”

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN

Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV) 26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children

will have a place of refuge.

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN

Genesis 26:24 (NKJV) 24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.”

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN

Matthew 10:28 (NKJV) 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But

rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

FEAR GOD SAVES US FROM DESTRUCTION

Exodus 9:29–31 (NKJV) 29 So Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will

spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the LORD God.” 31 Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in

the head and the flax was in bud.

FEAR GOD SAVES US FROM DESTRUCTION

Proverbs 14:27 (NKJV) 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the

snares of death.