Do We “Fear” The Lord?

By Stewart Whittemore

“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31 (NKJV-emphasis added)

Do we “fear” the LORD?

In the Book of Psalms, 34:11-16, David tells us: "Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”

One has only to look at the statistics of our "tolerance" for sin to see that many who say they are Christians actually do not act much different from those "who do evil.” Look at divorce in this country. Statistics show that divorce among Christians is not much different (now running at about 50%) than most of those who are not of the faith…my own failures included. God tells us that He "hates divorce." (See Malachi 2:16)

Let’s take a closer look at what the "fear” of the Lord means.

The Biblical Book of Proverbs is noted for its teaching on wisdom. Of the more than 70 times that "fear of the Lord" is mentioned in the Bible, sixteen come from the Book of Proverbs. For example…Proverbs 1:7 states: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." In Proverbs 1:29-30 we read: "Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke." Therefore, "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate." Proverbs 8:13

Jesus made it very clear to us about what "fear of the Lord" and hating evil means. He said: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15 Jesus also knew we can’t be obedient on our own, so He said: "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Holy Spirit), that He may abide with you forever --" John 14:16

The early church "walked the talk" with the power of the Holy Spirit and that is why "they were multiplied" in those days. They were "walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit" to help them. Notice the key words in the phrase "walking in.” We have to make the choice as to whether or not we will allow God to work in us (walking in) "both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 For God is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 Of course when we choose not to “walk in the Lord” the result of that decision means…"The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." Psalms 34:16

Shall we “fear” the Lord? Yes! Why? Because…"Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23:17-18

We can take comfort in remembering that Jesus died for us to atone for our sins so that "hope (the hereafter with Him) will not be cut off.” Let us show (walking the talk) Jesus that we love Him. That’s what the “fear” of the Lord is all about – loving Jesus and doing what He tells us to do in all aspects of our lives.

Stewart Whittemore writes from Grants Pass, Oregon.