I remember one time, as a kid, I really wanted to build an outdoor fort in my front yard. So, my friends and I gathered some wood, nails, tools, and a tarp. Together, we made what we considered to be the coolest, most advanced, and most secure fort in all the land! But 30 minutes into enjoying the man-made wonder that was my front yard fort, that joy turned to fear. The front yard began to flood.
Somewhere in the fun and chaos of building, we’d broken one of the sprinkler lines buried just under the grass. My mind went from “Fun!” to “Oh no, I’m in trouble! Dad’s going to ground me and I’m going to have to clean the bathrooms for a year!”
Is God Angry or Loving?
As a follower of Christ, I carried a similar kind of fear around for the longest time—fear of God. Every time I did something wrong or questioned something about the Bible, I was scared that God or the church would be mad and punish me.
I mean, I should be scared, right? The Bible, over and over, tells us to fear the Lord our God. For example, Proverbs 1:7 NIV says, “The fear of the Lᴏʀᴅ is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” And Psalm 33:8 NIV says, “Let all the earth fear the Lᴏʀᴅ …”
But at the same time, the Bible says this about God’s love:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:7-9 NIV
If God is love, then why should I fear Him? And if He’s a big scary God I’m supposed to live in constant fear of, then how could I ever love Him?
Those two ideas do not seem like they work well together. When I think about fear, I think back to the story of breaking that water line. I didn’t see anything positive coming out of my next conversation with my dad.
Fear, it seems, is being scared of what is to come. Merriam-Webster defines fear in a few ways: an unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, anxious concern, profound reverence or awe, or a reason for alarm. So which definition best fits the fear with which we should approach God?
What Does It Mean to Fear God?
The Hebrew terms found in the Old Testament that represent fear stem from the word yir, which shares some of the same understanding as the English definition of fear. However, it can be better understood as reverence, worship, or an overwhelming sense of awe.
To fear God is to see God with such deep love, awe, and gratitude that it leaves us speechless.
Fear, in this biblical context, is not being scared of what is to come or worrying that God might cause you physical or emotional harm. What the Bible means when it tells us to fear God is that we should see God with such deep love, awe, and gratitude that it leaves us speechless.
Fearing God Leads to Wisdom and Worship
Our awe of God should fill us with the desire to spend time with Him, share His love with others, serve others, and live for Him wholeheartedly. This type of love, care, and awe is what the author of Proverbs was referring to when he wrote:
The fear of the Lᴏʀᴅ is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NIV
Wisdom is more than knowledge or experience. To the writer of Proverbs, wisdom comes from knowing that God is who He says He is. He is the powerful Creator and King of the universe. At the same time, He is the loving, personal, and compassionate Savior. When we pause to consider God’s identity, we cannot help but stand in awe of His power and love. This awe (or fear) reminds us to depend on God and trust His words and plans.
How to Fear God in a Healthy Way
1. Recognize God’s Awe-Inspiring Love
Nothing that you do can make God love you any less. Nothing you do can make God love you more. You are beautifully and wonderfully made, and recognizing that God loves you just as you are can and will open your heart to His greatness faster than anything else you can do. If you’re struggling with the idea that God loves you just as you are, check out this article.
2. Spend Time in Nature
When you notice nature, you can’t help but stand in awe of God’s creative power. And awe is deeply connected to the biblical definition of fear.
God cares so much about His creation that He made it unique, beautiful, and different. The same God who made leaves unique, trees of different colors and sizes, and mountains full of majesty created you. It’s enough to leave you speechless.
So spend some time walking around a local park, go for a hike or drive through a scenic area, or simply sit outside and take time to admire all that God has done.
3. Keep Exploring the Bible
Take time every day to learn something about God. Reading the Bible is one of the best ways to get to know God. The Bible contains countless examples of God’s faithfulness, power, and love. Together, these stories remind us that God is loving and awe-inspiring.
If you haven’t already, download the free Bible App from YouVersion on your phone or other electronic device. The Bible App allows you to access the Bible anywhere in the world, in just about any language, and read it with your friends and family. You can also read Bible Plans focused on specific books or topics!
God Is Love
So what happened with me and my dad? He was upset about the situation and did not like the work and money it took to fix the issue. But his love and care for me never changed. As I look back on this story, I realize that my dad was showing love for me in the same way God shows His love for those who put their faith in Him.
God is not sitting in heaven with a list of what we’ve done wrong. He stands with open arms, longing for us to run to Him for peace, comfort, and strength.
Love for God is what the writer of Proverbs was pointing us toward. God is not sitting in heaven with a list of things that you and I have done wrong. God stands with open arms, longing for us to run to Him for peace and strength. Fear of the Lord is respect for God, love of God, awe in response to His power and glory, and a deep desire to worship and honor Him in all we do as believers.