Fear Of The Lord
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8, NKJV).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10, NKJV).
'Fear of the Lord' and 'fear' - do they mean the same thing?
No! Interestingly when you go back to the original Greek and Hebrew texts 'fear of the Lord' means to respect, have reverence and admire.
Fear on its own means terror, to be afraid.
Proverbs 1, 2 and 3.
• Proverbs 1: Wisdom begins with fearing the Lord.
• Proverbs 2: The fear of the Lord is found when we seek wisdom from God.
• Proverbs 3: The fear of the Lord shows itself in humble trust, obedience, and turning from evil.
The fear of the Lord is central to gaining true wisdom-it’s not terror, but a deep reverence, awe, and submission to God's authority and goodness.
These passages clearly teach that if we don't fear (respect) God and depart from evil we will not be blessed. If we choose to walk in the ways of God blessing ensues, if we choose to walk in the ways of the world, destruction ensues.
God once told me that 'fear' (terror) actually enters us when we choose not to 'fear the Lord'. If we choose to do the right thing and resist the devil 'fear of the Lord' will deliver us from actual fear (terror).
Is this Scriptural?
1. Terror (wrong fear) enters when we reject God's wisdom
“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord... they shall eat the fruit of their own way... the turning away of the simple will slay them.”
– Proverbs 1:29–32
When people reject God's authority and moral order, fear, anxiety, and chaos often follow. That includes internal fear (terror, dread, confusion), because without God's covering, we’re vulnerable to the enemy’s influence.
2. The fear of the Lord delivers us from all other fears
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7
“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
“In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear.” – Isaiah 54:14
Reverent fear of God protects us from harmful, tormenting fear.
God wants us to walk in His moral statutes because we respect and admire Him. Fear of God pleases God. Adhering to His moral law because you admire and respect Him pleases Him. Don't adhere to the law of God to earn favour or approval from God. Do it out of respect because you love God. There can also be a counterfeit fear of God which actually results in a fear (terror) of God where you are afraid of Him. God is a God of Love and this is the opposite of who He is.
(PRAYER) - "Dear God I repent for lack of fear of God. This includes lack of respect, admiration and reverence for You as my creator. I repent for the times I chose to do 'wrong' instead of choosing to do 'right' in accordance with the moral statutes of God. I repent for having the 'wrong' fear of the Lord and renounce the lie that you would punish me. Help me to see that You are a God of Love. In Jesus name I release 'the fear of the Lord' into me. I command the counterfeit Fear of God to leave along with all other fear that entered when I chose not to fear the Lord in the name of Jesus Christ".
- Tania Francis