Why should a believer or non-believer 'fear' God? I could never get my head around this.
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Why 'fear' God?
- Thread starter InnocentOdion
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It doesn't mean "be afraid of", it means more like "reverent awe & respect". Today, we mostly only use "fear" in just the one sense, so many people are unaware that the term has more than definition.
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That's what I thought, but then why did people in the past "fear" God, as in literal fear? It made the gentiles/non-Christians/Jews etc laugh, because they saw their relationship with God as they would with humans (which Christianity has gone towards) but before they would say that they did not "fear God, like a slave fears his abusive master"--I've read this as a quote once. So, who was wrong? Us, or them?
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Fear in the Bible means to show honor and respect.
It's impossible to respond to what you read without more info and without any context to it. As to who was wrong, if you can pinpoint the quote and we can read the context someone could respond.
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Dear InnocentOdion. You had some good replies, and it is quite true, to fear God means treat Him with Awe, and Jesus taught us to call God "Father." Sincere greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.
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Other contributors are correct; fear should usually be understood as "reverence" when applied to God. And yes, God wants us to have a warm, Daddy relationship with Him. That said, responsible Daddies discipline their children, and a child of God should highly respect Daddy's hand, because Daddy spanks.
As you get to know the God of the Bible, make sure you pay attention to the WHOLE package. Some people focus all of their attention of God's loving nature -- and He certainly is infinitely loving. But He is also holy, kind, just, jealous, terrifying, compassionate, wise, angered at sin, saddened by disobedience, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and so forth. If you truly want to seek the God of the Bible in order to know Him, be sure you're getting to know the totality of His revealed nature as expressed in Scripture. Don't fall into the trap of acknowledging only those attributes that suite your limited, flawed human desires.
Blessings...
As you get to know the God of the Bible, make sure you pay attention to the WHOLE package. Some people focus all of their attention of God's loving nature -- and He certainly is infinitely loving. But He is also holy, kind, just, jealous, terrifying, compassionate, wise, angered at sin, saddened by disobedience, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and so forth. If you truly want to seek the God of the Bible in order to know Him, be sure you're getting to know the totality of His revealed nature as expressed in Scripture. Don't fall into the trap of acknowledging only those attributes that suite your limited, flawed human desires.
Blessings...
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copied from internet, not my words but I agree with this.
For the unbeliever, the fear of God is to fear the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31).
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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 receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service 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 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 that He is holy, just, and righteous.
Deuteronomy 10:12,20-21 records, "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen."
The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and yes, loving Him.
Many have the tendency of minimizing 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 Gods 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 prevented, hopefully, 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.
Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. 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 respecting Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.
MY words. I "feared" my father, but I was not scared of my father. I knew he loved me and I loved him, but I "feared" him.
For the unbeliever, the fear of God is to fear the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31).
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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 receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service 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 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 that He is holy, just, and righteous.
Deuteronomy 10:12,20-21 records, "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen."
The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and yes, loving Him.
Many have the tendency of minimizing 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 Gods 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 prevented, hopefully, 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.
Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. 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 respecting Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.
MY words. I "feared" my father, but I was not scared of my father. I knew he loved me and I loved him, but I "feared" him.
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That's what I thought, the idea of fearing God is strange.
So should it be translated as "respect" or "honour"?
According to form, as well, in earlier days of Christianity (like the Middle Ages) God was seen as vengeful, but it's only recent that God has become compassionate again.
Unfortunately I don't have much access to these. Try googling, hopefully some stuff will be found.
So should it be translated as "respect" or "honour"?
According to form, as well, in earlier days of Christianity (like the Middle Ages) God was seen as vengeful, but it's only recent that God has become compassionate again.
Unfortunately I don't have much access to these. Try googling, hopefully some stuff will be found.
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halstonwilliasm
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a very good question. My personal opinion on this is that we love God (like your parents), but also should fear God because if we do something wrong their is always some kind of punishment from him. This occurs many times in the bible, and is hard to understand.
God bless you, and I pray that any sorrows you have will cease in the name of the lord! Amen
God bless you, and I pray that any sorrows you have will cease in the name of the lord! Amen
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Nadiine
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I like to refer to it as discipline & chastening - not so much just "punishment". But that' comparison is very good - we loved our parents yet we held a respect and fear of their authority over us - what they were capable of.
Same with other authorities like the police, etc.
To the OP - in general:
All of us being sinners, we should have some level of fear of what we will face when we meet God at our judgement. We already know that not all will hear "well done good and faithful servant" - but will suffer loss of reward there.
It won't be a lovely day for even every Christian. Any serious judgment going over your life's works wont' be a picnic - we'll see how short we fall most likely.
And every NonBeliever SHOULD fear God. They have the most the fear becuz of the punishment/wrath that awaits. Whether they believe it or not isn't the point imo.
They will face it eventually.
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You cannot fear someone you love. You can fear what they may do, but never that individual.
and this is true.
which is why I don't think people should fear God; fear is an enemy that lives in us all at times, but one should never embrace this, but rather, embrace love to base your decision making.
sure we fear God's wrath, but we should focus on what we love about God rather than what we shouldn't do as to avoid punishment.
and this is true.
which is why I don't think people should fear God; fear is an enemy that lives in us all at times, but one should never embrace this, but rather, embrace love to base your decision making.
sure we fear God's wrath, but we should focus on what we love about God rather than what we shouldn't do as to avoid punishment.
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gloryseven
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The Word of God says that wisdom begins here, that is why it is important.
God bless you!
The Word of God says that wisdom begins here, that is why it is important.
God bless you!
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Nadiine
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I agree with that verse - I think it includes literal fear and awe/reverance.
Would we actually have no fear at all? I'd assume it's easy to claim so as we sit in front of the computer screen - but a real supernatural occurrence meeting God directly?
Namely when many biblical accounts of angels or appearances of Christ in visions, etc. have them falling on their faces in fear and not being able to stand up.
Jesus also used fear as to who God is and what He's capable of.
Luke 12:5
"But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Would we actually have no fear at all? I'd assume it's easy to claim so as we sit in front of the computer screen - but a real supernatural occurrence meeting God directly?
Namely when many biblical accounts of angels or appearances of Christ in visions, etc. have them falling on their faces in fear and not being able to stand up.
Jesus also used fear as to who God is and what He's capable of.
Luke 12:5
"But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
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"Fear" can be defined to mean "literally afraid" and/or "reverence & awe". They are different definitions, but very much connected.
To approach the question of why "fear" God, you first have to believe (different from "accept") in the existence of God and all that he is capable of (as proclaimed in the Bible).
Now, the Bible says the God created the heavens & earth, can move mountains, destroy whole cities, civilizations & people, bring the dead back to life, all-knowing, etc. If you believe someone has the power to do all that, would you fear (literally be afraid) of him?
If you doubt his existence and power, then you would have no fear of him.
Considering no other man or being can lay claim to the powers and authority that God has, would you be in awe and respect him?
If you consider such powers common or you dismiss such powers, then there is no reason you would be in awe of God.
If you think God does not exercise his powers with authority and responsibility, then you would not respect God.
So it all comes down to what you believe (the existence and power of God), and that if believe God is supreme (in how he exercises his power and authority), that you would "fear" him -- BOTH being scared and in awe & respect.
To approach the question of why "fear" God, you first have to believe (different from "accept") in the existence of God and all that he is capable of (as proclaimed in the Bible).
Now, the Bible says the God created the heavens & earth, can move mountains, destroy whole cities, civilizations & people, bring the dead back to life, all-knowing, etc. If you believe someone has the power to do all that, would you fear (literally be afraid) of him?
If you doubt his existence and power, then you would have no fear of him.
Considering no other man or being can lay claim to the powers and authority that God has, would you be in awe and respect him?
If you consider such powers common or you dismiss such powers, then there is no reason you would be in awe of God.
If you think God does not exercise his powers with authority and responsibility, then you would not respect God.
So it all comes down to what you believe (the existence and power of God), and that if believe God is supreme (in how he exercises his power and authority), that you would "fear" him -- BOTH being scared and in awe & respect.
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As a sinner in His presence, especially if you do not know of His loving mercy, will be in fear... it is a natural reaction in His presence... even God fearer's like Isaiah.. said Woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips... so blown away by The Holy One of Israel.... Holy is more than just a term ... it is by comparison to our sinful selves the very criteria where we would condemn our own selves in His presence. Being guilty, try and put the blame on Him, because of our own fear of our, or lack there of, relationship with Him.
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