Fear is “an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” This kind of fear produces dread—terror over what might happen—and it can drive people to change aspects of their lives. Yet these changes rarely last, because they depend on a constant reminder of the danger that inspired them.
Scripture records many moments when the fear of the Lord fell on the nations surrounding Israel after God acted on Israel’s behalf (2 Chronicles 17:10). For a time, these nations refrained from attacking Israel because they feared what God might do to them. After Joshua led Israel across the Jordan on dry ground, “their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them” (Joshua 5:1). But as time passed, that fear faded, and the same nations eventually went to war with Israel again.
On July 8, 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” using vivid imagery of a sinner dangling over hell like a spider over fire. The congregation erupted in weeping and cries so loud and chaotic that Edwards could not finish delivering the sermon. His message stirred fear across America during the First Great Awakening and became known for its “fire and brimstone” theology.
But Scripture also speaks of another kind of fear—the reverential awe of God. Reverence gives honor to the One who is worthy. Awe blends dread and wonder in response to overwhelming greatness. Today we consider this profound reverence and awe—the fear of God that comes from knowing who He is and what He has done.
Who Is God?
Scripture teaches that God is holy. He is holy because He is one in character—who He is, what He says, and what He does are one unchanging reality. Psalm 138:2 says God has exalted His Word above His name. In ancient Hebrew culture, a person’s name represented their character, reputation, authority, and essence. For God to exalt His Word above His name means He binds His entire reputation to doing what He says. God is as good as His Word.
Numbers 23:19 declares that God does not lie or change His mind. To disprove Him, one would need to find a single instance where He broke His Word—but none exists, because God is holy.
We also know that God has no beginning and no end. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. A person may flee from human authority by moving elsewhere, but where would that person go to escape from God’s authority, knowledge and presence? Psalm 139:7–12 affirms that whether in heaven, Sheol, the sea, or the darkness, God is there.
After His resurrection, Jesus declared that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). Psalm 24:1–2 reminds us that the earth and all who dwell in it belong to the Lord. We live on His territory. He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers” (Psalm 24:1-2).
Why should you fear God? Because of who He is—holy, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and the eternal King whose kingdom has no end. Though He once overlooked human ignorance, He now commands all people everywhere to repent and fear Him (Acts 17:30).
What Has God Done?
The works of God should cause us to fear Him. He has done what only God can do. He created all things—seen and unseen—ex nihilo, out of nothing. Psalm 19:1 says the heavens declare His glory, and Isaiah 55:12 poetically describes creation rejoicing before its Maker.
Psalm 33:8–9 calls all the earth to fear the Lord because “He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.”
When God loved the world, He came through a virgin birth to save humanity from sin. Who else has done this? Only God becomes His own creation to redeem it. Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead—and He lives forever. Anyone who raises Himself from the dead deserves reverent awe. God continues His work today by saving repentant sinners and making them His children.
Yet many, like the Pharisees and scribes, saw God’s works and still demanded signs (Matthew 12:38; 16:1). After Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves and two fish, the crowd asked, “What sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?” (John 6:30). Jesus gave them no new sign.
Do we fear God for what He has already done?
Knowing who God is and what He has done should lead us to a fear that honors His overwhelming greatness. This fear is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).
How Do We Show Our Fear For God?
- By Imitating His Holiness
To fear God is to imitate His holiness. Ephesians 5:1 calls us to be imitators of God as His beloved children, and 1 Peter 1:15–16 commands us to be holy as He is holy.
“”But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy”” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
God cannot ask us to be something we cannot be. What then does it mean for us to be holy? Holiness is not wearing robes, making long prayers, or perfect church attendance. Holiness is oneness of character—what we say, what we do, and who we are should align.
When our actions fall out of alignment, holiness means repenting and asking God to realign us. Scripture says, “The righteous falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16).
- By Living At His pleasure
To fear God is to live at His pleasure—to do what He commands. This fear is not dread of death or judgment but a commitment to holy living. Psalm 112:1 says the one who fears the Lord delights in His commandments.
“Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalm 112:1)
The life of a Christian belongs to Christ. In Galatians 2:20 Apostles Paul writes:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
When a Christian lives at God’s pleasure, in time of temptation, the fear of God should lead them to respond like Joseph; “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Or like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: God can deliver me, but even if He doesn’t, I will not bow to temptation (Daniel 3:16-18).
If God has a “love language,” it’s certainly not words of affirmation, or receiving gifts, or physical touch, it is obedience. Jesus cautioned those who tried to express their love for Him by calling him Lord but not abiding by what He said.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46)
Christians must live at the pleasure of the King who bought their souls with the price of His blood.
- By Giving God Away
To fear God is to give God away. God looks at the heart, not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). What you give away reveals what fills your heart.
Christians should not be like mirrors that reflect much but absorb little, nor like black holes that have such a strong gravitational pull that not even light can escape once it crosses the region, giving nothing. We should be like asphalt pavement that absorbs much light while still reflecting some back.
To use another analogy, Christians shouldn’t be like hydrophobic materials such as plastic and rubber that completely repel water absorption but be like hydrophobic materials such as sponges that absorb and retain much water and generously give it away when touched. Christians should absorb much of God and release Him generously when others touch our lives.
What do people receive when they “touch” you? Do you give the fear of God to others? Remember you can only give what fills you.
- By Living In The Hope Of Christ
To fear God is to live in the hope of Christ. He paid the full price for our redemption, so we live in confidence, not torment. 1 John 4:18 says;
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
And Proverbs 14:26 adds that, “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence…” We should live in confidence of our salvation and live in liberty in Christ.
The fear of God and the love of God cannot be separated. To fear Him is to love Him for who He is and what He has done.
Amen.
