“ We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” - William Gurnall

FEAR GOD

FEAR GOD: SOMETHING THE WISE DO Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV) 7 The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

FEAR GOD: SOMETHING THE PSALMIST PRAYED FOR Psalm 86:11 (NKJV) 11 Teach me Your way, O L ORD ; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD? Meaning: accompanies the idea of being afraid but goes beyond that Reverence Sense: the feeling of profound respect for someone or something Even beyond these: fear to the extent that it moves one to worship in consideration of the awesomeness of God Carries with it idea that the reverence for God will move us to complete submission to His will - Logos Bible Software; Bible Word Study,

FEARING GOD PRODUCES A HATRED OF EVIL WITHIN US Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) 13 The fear of the L ORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

FEARING GOD PRODUCES A HATRED OF EVIL WITHIN US What does it mean to be evil? Jeremiah 7:24 (NKJV) 24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 11:8 repeats this sentiment) 8 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone followed the dictates of his evil heart; therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but which they have not done.’ ”

FEARING GOD PRODUCES A HATRED OF EVIL WITHIN US Acts 13:22 (NKJV) 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. ’

FEARING GOD MEANS THAT WE SERVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDS Deuteronomy 10:12 (NKJV) 12 “And now, Israel, what does the L ORD your God require of you, but to fear the L ORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the L ORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

THOSE WHO FEAR GOD WILL LIVE UPRIGHTLY Exodus 18:21 (NKJV) 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

THOSE WHO FEAR GOD WILL LIVE UPRIGHTLY 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN Exodus 1:17 (NKJV) 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) 6 So we may boldly say: “The L ORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV) 26 In the fear of the L ORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN Genesis 26:24 (NKJV) 24 And the L ORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.”

FEARING GOD REDUCES OUR FEAR OF MAN Matthew 10:28 (NKJV) 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

FEAR GOD SAVES US FROM DESTRUCTION Exodus 9:29–31 (NKJV) 29 So Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the L ORD ; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the L ORD ’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the L ORD God.” 31 Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud.

FEAR GOD SAVES US FROM DESTRUCTION Proverbs 14:27 (NKJV) 27 The fear of the L ORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.