Psalms 33:8 NKJV
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”

One of the greatest things that can happen to a man or woman after encountering Jesus Christ is to learn to cultivate the fear of God in his/her life. The fear of God is one of the greatest needs in the body of Christ today. The weakness of Christians and of the church is not coming from the lack of all-night prayers, nor even evangelism, but from the fact that many Christians or believers in Jesus Christ have not cultivated the fear of God in their hearts.

We are living in days when people and even Christians have lost the fear of God. Look at this passage, 2 Timothy 3:1-5:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Are these characteristics true about some Christians you know in your church or around you? I am sure your answer is affirmative.

We have many churchgoers who do not fear God. Many who profess to love God, but their actions betray their hypocrisy. Many who worship God with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Many who prefer to perform in church services and church programs when their lives are a wreck. You cannot recognize them during the week in their offices and homes. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

How do you explain a disciple of Jesus Christ who cheats and corrupts to pass an exam or to have a job? It is the lack of the fear of God.

How do you explain that a disciple of Jesus Christ smokes and drinks?

How do you explain that a disciple of Jesus Christ visits native doctors to protect himself with talisman? It is the lack of the fear of God.

What is the Fear of God?

1. It is the spirit or the attitude in a person that pushes that person to live and act according to the ways and standards of God no matter the circumstances. Example: Daniel & his companions in the book of Daniel.
2. It is a strong love and attachment a man has for God and all that concerns God. Example: David.
3. The fear of God is what makes the difference between a spirit-filled Christian and a carnal Christian.
4. The fear of God is what makes the difference between a consecrated Christian and a loose and circular Christian, the righteous and the wicked.

All people on the earth are commanded to fear the Lord. Psalms 33:8 says,

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
(Rev 14:7; 15:4)

The fear of the Lord is a commandment to all his children (Deut. 10:12-13).

The Evidences of the Fear of the Lord in a Christian

Meaning of Proverbs 9:10

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

How many of us know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? Yes, my friend, with the fear of the Lord comes wisdom to live a disciplined and fruitful life. How do you discern the fear of the Lord in someone’s life? Please, examine these truths in your own life.

1. The fear of the Lord leads a man to keep His commandments.
   Solomon was clear about that in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”
   When you fear the Lord, you will seek to keep His word in practice.
2. It is the fear of God that keeps a man from sinning against God even when there is nobody to see him.
   We have many examples in the Bible. Joseph feared the Lord and refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife even after many attempts and precisely when there was nobody to watch him. His confession was,
   “How then can I do this wicked thing against my God.”
   Gen 39:7-9
   “And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?'” You know the rest of the story, instead of yielding, there was a day Joseph ran out of the house, leaving behind his garment, but he saved his soul.
3. The fear of the Lord causes a man to be faithful without partiality (to God and his wife). 2 Chron19:7, 9ff
   Your faithfulness to your spouse should be primarily because you fear God. There are times when nobody is there to see you, but your consciousness of God’s presence, whom you respect, will keep you safe.
4. Those who lack the fear of God always have a backsliding tendency.
   They always feel as if to return to the world.
5. It is the fear of God that stops a man from exploiting others or oppressing others working under him.
   In Leviticus 25:17, God is clear,
   “Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.”
6. The fear of the Lord in a man provokes a holy anger and hatred against bribery and corruption.
7. The fear of God always pushes a man to fight for justice among God’s people.
   There are many other things we can say, but just know that the fear of God results in a life of dedication and holiness.

How Do You Develop the Fear of God in Your Life?

Jeremiah 10:6-7 NKJV
“Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Lord (You are great, and Your name is great in might), [7] Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, And in all their kingdoms, There is none like You.”

The position that God occupies as the creator of the universe automatically grants Him the right to be honored and respected. Jeremiah in this passage was trying to look at the attributes of God, compared to lifeless and worthless idols of nations. He came out with the conclusion:

“Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?… There is none like You.”

But you and I know that there are many who do not fear God. They live contrary to His will and His rules. How do you develop the fear of God in your heart?

1. By knowing God intimately and by understanding the ways of God.
   God wants you and I to know Him more intimately. The more we know Him, the more we will fear Him (Deut 4:10). Spend personal time in God’s presence, especially in the early hours of the day. Organize personal retreats to just study more about God.
2. By considering our relationship and covenant with God.
   In Malachi 2:5, God says,
   “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me And was reverent before My name.”
   By considering the Covenant God made with man, the love God has for you, and the good plans He has for you, these should push you to seek to honor Him and respect Him.
3. By considering the blessings of God upon the righteous.
   The Psalmist in Psalms 67:7 says,
   “God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.”
   When you consider the works of God upon the righteous, it should trigger the fear of God in your heart.
4. By listening to the teachings of God’s word.
   Only fools will despise knowledge and will not gain the fear of the Lord in their lives. Proverbs 1:29-30 is clear about this,
   “Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, [30] They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.”
   The fear of God is cultivated from constant listening to God’s word. The wisdom of man cannot teach the fear of God. You do not find it in philosophy and psychology.
5. By seeking God with all your heart.
   Prayer is a powerful catalyst for the fear of God. You cannot approach God’s throne on a daily basis and miss the fear of God. No! Seeking God always results in the fear of His name. May God bless you as you consider each of the avenues of the fear of God mentioned here.