The fear of the lord
There are four main types of fears, which trouble or affect man. These are the fear of man, demonic fear, natural fear and the fear of God.
I shall briefly explain each of the fears listed above.
The fear of Man
The Bible says that the fear of man can be a snare to a man.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25
- In other words it makes a man to be trapped by forces which limit his efficiency. It is a very dangerous trap. This kind of fear makes man to look bigger than God. It is not good at all. Some people think it is respect but in the real sense it’s the devil’s trap to make man to be a threat towards a fellow man. We should never fear men. Some people fear men because of the positions they occupy, others fear them because of the size of their bodies, while others fear the number of men or what they may think or say. The Bible tells us to trust in God and not to fear the number of men.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. Psalm 3:6
We should not fear what men say about anything. If you know that God has said conclusively about a matter we should not be moved by the opinions of men by any means. Some fear because they think men shall beat them or hurt them.
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. Ezekiel 2:6
Some even imagine that words can break their lives so they curl and shy away in fear. The devil sometimes tries to instill this kind of fear through dreams. We should make up a quality decision that we shall never fear men words or their appearances. Look at them and speak to them, eye ball to eye ball, and declare to them the total counsel of God. Jesus told us not to fear men because they can not kill the body and then kill the soul in hell. Despite any man’s opposition, don’t fear men or women.
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.
Matthew 10:28
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Luke 12:4
Demonic fear
The second kind of fear is demonic fear. This is another destructive force which the devil uses to bombard the souls of men. We must get so close to God, and walk with Him so closely until all fears of devils will be banished from our lives and environments completely. We must not fear the devil at all. He is a defeated foe. If we stand in righteousness we will see this defeated foe that is always afraid of us. In Christ, the devil is completely rendered useless and powerless. We have power over the devil, Jesus gave us the power.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:15
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Hebrews 2:14
We should decide never to fear devils, we have power to cast them out of our lives, out of our villages, out of our cities, out of our countries and out of our world.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
Do not give any place to the devil. You give place to the devil if you are afraid of him.
Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27
Natural fear
Natural fear is a kind of fear which God has put in man so that man can be able to protect life. It is varied among people due to family and environmental upbringings. Natural fear can be greatly be reduced by our knowledge of God. Our God is so caring to the extent that we should not fear that nature could be also fighting against us. If natural fear is exaggerated, it can become demonic. Examples of natural fears are fear of darkness, insects, thunders etc.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:29-30
Ignorance is the main cause of the above mentioned types of fears.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6
The fear of God
The fear of God is completely different from all the above fears. It is holy, clean, building and is a God recommended fear for us. The fear of God was manifested in Christ as the most cultivated character. It wonderful to know how Jesus feared God this was a character which made God to be so close to Him. Oh dear brethren, Jesus Christ feared God! Even His prophecies speak of Him being filled with the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of God; and Him being quick in understanding the fear of God (Isaiah 11:1-3). Any kind of being filled with the Spirit of God which does not produce this kind of fear is a fake spirit. The Lord also was very successful in prayer.
He had 100% answers to His prayers because of the riches of the fear of God in His character and life.
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Hebrews 5:7.
Though he cried and shed many tears. He was heard because he feared God. The fear of God will keep slander out of church, no lies, no late comers, no lack of prayer, no missing of sessions in church, will be experienced after this character is developed. Cornelius was heard because of his fear of God.
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Acts 10:22
Peter came and said, “I perceive that God is no respect of persons but in every nation, He who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him (Acts 10:34-35).” I mean in every tribe the key to access the heart of God is the character of the fear of God in Christ. The Old Testament saints also feared God. Even Job 1:1 shows clearly that Job was made prosperous and great because he was a man who feared God and hated sin. Abraham feared God (Gen. 20:11). His prayer for Sodom shows how he was careful to speak before God. Solomon also knew this in Eccl. 5:1-2. He also said that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). David prayed for this character with desperate prayers (Psalm 86:11). Joshua told his fellow citizens to choose not only whom to serve but also who to fear God (Joshua 24:14). 1 Samuel 12:14 is the microphone of Samuel telling us to fear the Lord and serve Him. Nehemiah says we ought to fear God and walk in the fear of our God (Nehemiah 5:9). Moses is quite outstanding in the admonition to fear God (Deu. 4:10): if you hear God’s word you will be warned to fear Him. I hope you heard that! Read Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 and when you see God you will fear Him.
BLESSINGS
I have never seen any human character, which brings more blessings than the fear of God. Never! Over 100 blessings are here. God’s favor will overtake you. Dear brethren, the need for the church is to fear God. Even the angels will preach during tribulation period and say, Fear God, (Rev. 14:7). This is their only message! God will show Himself strong on behalf of a man who fears God (2 Chr. 16:9). Examples of such blessings are in Psalm 128, which are: You will eat the labour of thine hands (v. 1), i.e.,
1) You will get a job;
2) You will be happy;
3) It shall be well with you;
4) Your wife shall be fruitful, i.e., you will be married;
5) Thy children shall be like olive plants;
6) Thou shall live long and see thy children’s children.
I think only 10% of all saints have it!
Summary Notes:
1. There are four kinds of fears which affect man:
a) Natural fear (Matthew 14:30)
b) Demonic fear (Matthew 14:26)
c) The fear of man (Proverbs 29:25)
d) The fear of God (Genesis 31:42, Psalm 119:20)
2. The fear of God in the life of Jesus.
a) Isaiah 11
b) Hebrew 5:7
c) John 14:10
3. The fear of God in the early church
a) Acts 9:31
b) Acts 10:34-35
4. The fear of God after the rapture (from Angels)
The Angles message (Revelation 14:7)
5. What is the fear of God
a) Psalm 34:11-14
b) Proverbs 8:13
c) Proverb 14:2
6. The benefits of cultivating the character of the fear of God
a) An instruction in serving the Lord (Psalm 2:11)
b) An instruction to worship in the Lord (Psalm 5:7)
c) It is clean (Psalm 19:9)
d) It endues forever (Psalm 19:9, Psalm 14:5)
e) Makes God to help us in decisions (Psalm 25:12)
f) Receives the secret of the covenant (Psalm 25:14)
g) Receives God’s goodness (Psalm 31:19)
h) Receives God’s attention (Psalm 33:18)
i) Receives Angelic protection (Psalm 34:7)
j) Receives God’s banner (Psalm 61:4)
k) Receives God’s provision (Psalm 34:9)
l) It is God’s commandment (Psalm 76:7, 11; Psalm 96:9, 4; Psalm 5:7)
m) Receives great mercy from God (Psalm 103:11)
n) Receives God’s pity (Psalm 103:13)
o) Receives divine food provision (Psalm 111:5)
p) Receives God’s blessings (Psalm 128:4)
q) Receives the reward of eating the labour of thine hands (Psalm 128:2)
r) Receives godly happiness (Psalm 128:2)
s) Receives God’s prosperity (Psalm 128:2, Job 1:1-3, Ecc. 8:12)
t) Receives a fruitful wife (Psalm 128:3)
u) Receives stable children (Psalm 128:3)
v) Receives God’s forgiveness (Psalm 130:4)
w) Receives their heart’s desire (Psalm 145:19)
x) Receives answers to prayer (Psalm 145:19)
y) Receives God’s salvation (Psalm 145:19)
z) Receives God’s pleasure (Psalm 147:11)
a) Receives wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
b) Receives long life (Proverbs 10:27)
c) Receives strong confidence (Proverbs 14:26)
d) Receives deliverance from snare of death (Proverbs 29:25)
e) Receives fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27)
f) Receives power to depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6)
g) Receives life (Proverbs 19:23)
h) Receives satisfaction in life (Proverbs 19:23)
i) Shall never be visited with evil (Proverbs 19:23)
j) Receives deliverance from feat of sinners (Proverbs 23:17)
k) Ladies receive praise (Proverbs 31:30)
7. The fear of God in the last days
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes
8. Men who feared the LORD
a) Abraham (Genesis 20:11)
b) Isaac (Genesis 31:42)
c) Jacob (Genesis 31:42)
d) Moses (Deu. 28: 58)
e) Joshua (Joshua 24:14)
f) Job (Job 1:1)
g) David (Psalm 86:11)
h) Malachi (Malachi 1:6)
i) Paul (Romans 3:18)
9. It is very unique
No Christian character carries more blessings than the fear of God.
Let us pray like David:
“Oh Lord, united my heart to fear thy Name.” (Psalm 86:11)
