Pass It On - Submitted by Prophetess Sondra Wills-Thomas

  There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18) The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips,  but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.  Isaiah 29:13-14

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29,  is a good description of this:

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe.

Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, a good understanding have they that do it” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, “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. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him.

Some redefine the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him.

In these “Fear of God” scriptures, the word “fear” is derived from Hebrew words such as yir’ah which actually mean “fear,” “terror,” or “dread.” Although many Christian teachers will downplay the “fear of God” and use replacement words such as “respect,” “reverence,” or “honor,” the Hebrew language is pretty clear.   Believers are not to be afraid of God. However, it is of the utmost importance that we truly understand who God is and who he is not.  We must "reverence" him.  We will when we walk in his word and in his righteousness.   We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. The fear of God is HONORING Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshiping Him in awe. A life of holy fear is a blessed life.

  Scripture Reading:

• “Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence?" (Jeremiah 5:22).
• Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling (Psalm 2:11).
• The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever (Psalm 19:9).
• Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him (Psalm 33:8).
• Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD (Psalm 34:11).
• 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 86:11).
• 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 14:7).
• The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil. (Proverbs 19:23)

Hope this is a blessing!  

Pass it On!.... Prophetess Sondra Wills-Thomas

Pass It On Ministries was founded by Prophetess Sondra Wills-Thomas

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