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There’s a phrase that runs all through the Bible, and a lot of people misunderstand it. Scripture tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). When folks hear the word fear, they picture someone cowering and trembling, scared to death that God is out to get them. But that isn’t it at all. The fear of the Lord is a healthy reverence, a deep respect and honor for God, for His Word, and for doing what is right.
Think of it the way a child respects a good father. My daughters loved us, but they also honored us. That respect didn’t come from being afraid of us; it came from knowing who we were to them. That’s the kind of fear the Bible is talking about. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever” (Psalm 19:9). It is a good thing, a pure thing, and it is the very foundation of a life that turns out well.
Let me tell you what it does for you. Scripture says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). It is “strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26). It “prolongeth days” (Proverbs 10:27) and is “a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27). In other words, a healthy reverence for God will keep you out of a world of trouble. It puts a watch on your mouth. It steadies you when you’re tempted. It gives you the good sense to walk away from the very things that would only bite you in the end.
I’ve found that when I start to step over a line I shouldn’t, I get a little scratching on the inside, a check in my spirit that says, back off, you’re crossing the line. That is the law of God written on the heart. Learn to obey those little scratchings. Be quick to make things right, quick to apologize, quick to humble yourself. It will help you with God, help you in your marriage, help you with your children, and help you in every relationship you have.
Now here is where I have to be honest with everyone reading this, because I care about you too much not to be. The Bible describes people who live with “no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18). They go through life flippant about sin, sure they will always have another day to sort things out with God. But none of us are promised tomorrow. And Jesus Himself said, “Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
Understand this: God does not send anyone to hell. People choose it when they refuse to turn to Him. But God has done everything to keep you out of it. He sent His Son to die for your sins and rise again, so that anyone who will turn from sin and put their trust in Him can be forgiven and made brand new. That is what it means to be born again. Hell is real, and you don’t want to go there. Heaven is real, and you can live like you’re planning on going.
So if you have never truly given your life to Christ, please don’t put it off. You don’t have to clean yourself up first, and you don’t have to understand everything. You simply come to Him, admit that you are a sinner, ask His forgiveness, and receive Jesus as your Lord. He will meet you right where you are. On the day of Pentecost, the Bible says about three thousand people did exactly that, and “the fear of the Lord came upon every soul” (Acts 2:41-43). That same God is still saving people today.
And to my fellow believers, let’s not run with the crowd. When it feels like God is dealing with you harder than He deals with everybody else, it’s because He is calling you up higher. He wants you to stand out and be the shining light He meant for you to be. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
Wherever you find yourself today, choose the fear of the Lord. Choose humility. And come on to church this Sunday. Come and worship the God who loves you and let Him do in your life what only He can do.
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Gary Bailey began preaching in 1977. Since 2020, he and his wife Gwen have been pastors at Light Ministries Church in Lewistown. Their emphasis is worship, the preaching of the Word of God, prayer and spiritual gifts, family and fellowship. You are welcome to visit in person at 181 Caldwell Hill Rd., Lewistown, Sundays at 10 a.m. Visit Facebook at Light Ministries Church for livestream service. Contact Pastor Gary at gbmin@mac.com.