Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Psalm 36:1
Fear isn’t always considered a vice. However, there are three types of fear where we fail to live up to the Father’s standard. These are none, not enough, and the wrong kind.
Our key verse highlights the sinful person who doesn’t follow God. They have no fear of God. The Bible also calls these people fools. Proverbs 1 is a wonderful place to read about the importance of the fear of God. Two great verses,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear the Lord. Proverbs 1:28-29
If you aren’t a Christian, heed God’s call before it is too late. Salvation is free to all who believe.
The second form of fear is probably the most prevalent. Not having enough fear of God is a serious vice that Christians commit.
The Old Testament attests to the Israelites not having the proper fear of God. This is one reason they went into captivity. Jeremiah prophecies that God will put the fear of Him into the remnant so they will never turn away from God again.
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. Jeremiah 32:40
Zephaniah, a contemporary of Jeremiah wrote,
Of Jerusalem I thought, ‘Surely you will fear me and accept correction!’ Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did. Zephaniah 3:7
The lack of fear of the Lord let them sin without remorse and act just as wickedly as those who did not follow God. Jesus warns against this type of behavior from Christians who do not follow God with their whole heart.
4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Luke 12:4-5
In the last part of this verse Jesus is talking about God. He is the only one who has the power to cast anyone into hell. The devil will entice us through temptations, trials, and addictions to join him in hell, but God is the final judge on who goes there. Our lack of fear is a thermometer for our relationship with God. There should be a fire in our belly for the things of God.
These two verses also teach us about the wrong fear, or misplaced fear. We aren’t to fear people who persecute us, reject us, or try, in today’s vernacular, to cancel us, for professing the name of Jesus and the gospel message of salvation. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can get to Heaven without Him. As Peter taught,
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:14
Fear that drives us to cowardice is a sin we don’t have to commit.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I love you. Help me to live a life worthy of you and respect your laws, commandments and will. Help me to not live in fear of what others think of me but be always ready to give you praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.