What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord?
Discover the life-changing power of reverent awe before a holy and loving God.
“Fear God.” For many, that phrase sounds intimidating — even confusing. Shouldn’t we love God, not fear Him? Doesn’t perfect love cast out fear (1 John 4:18)? So what does it really mean to fear the Lord?
At the heart of this question lies a deeper spiritual concern: How should we relate to God? If He is both holy and merciful, both just and loving, then what posture should we take before Him?
To fear the Lord is not about hiding from Him in terror. It’s about standing in awe-filled reverence, recognizing who He is — and letting that reality shape how we live. This kind of fear isn’t toxic or paralyzing; it’s the foundation of wisdom, worship, and obedience.
Let’s explore this rich and often misunderstood doctrine — and discover how the fear of the Lord can radically transform your walk with God.
🔍 Definition: What Is the Fear of the Lord?
To “fear the Lord” means to deeply revere God in response to His holiness, majesty, and authority. It is a posture of the heart that:
- Honors God as the sovereign Creator and righteous Judge
- Stands in awe of His power, purity, and presence
- Submits to His will with joy and humility
- Trembles at His Word with a desire to obey (Isaiah 66:2)
In the Bible, the fear of the Lord combines reverence, respect, awe, and worship. It is not the fear of a cruel tyrant, but the awe of standing before a holy King who is both powerful and good.
Think of it like this: the fear of the Lord is what happens when your heart is captivated by God’s greatness and humbled by His grace.
📖 Biblical Foundations: Scripture’s Witness to Holy Fear
Let’s look at how the fear of the Lord is described across the Bible — and what it teaches us about God and ourselves.
1. The Beginning of Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
— Proverbs 9:10
Wisdom doesn’t begin with intelligence, experience, or education. It begins with a right view of God — and a right view of self. When we fear the Lord, we recognize our smallness and His greatness. That humility is the soil in which true wisdom grows.
2. A Fountain of Life
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.”
— Proverbs 14:27
Far from being oppressive, the fear of the Lord liberates. It turns us away from sin, pride, and destruction — and into the path of life. It produces repentance, protection, and peace.
3. God Delights in Those Who Fear Him
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
— Psalm 147:11
The fear of the Lord is not the enemy of love; it is its companion. Those who fear God are those who trust His love, not just His power. God delights in those who stand in awe of Him and rely on His mercy.
4. Fear and Friendship with God
“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.”
— Psalm 25:14
To fear God is not to be pushed away — it is to be drawn into intimacy. God shares His secrets, His plans, His presence with those who revere Him.
5. Jesus and the Fear of the Lord
Even Jesus, in His humanity, delighted in the fear of the Lord.
“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him… the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.”
— Isaiah 11:2–3
If Christ Himself delighted in the fear of the Lord, how much more should we?
🪞 Why the Fear of the Lord Matters Today
The fear of the Lord is not just an Old Testament theme. It’s vital for every Christian — every day.
1. It Shapes Our Worship
You cannot truly worship a God you do not fear. Reverence makes worship meaningful. Casual, flippant attitudes toward God shrink His glory. But holy fear draws out true praise, humility, and joy.
2. It Anchors Our Obedience
When you fear the Lord, you care deeply about what He says. His commands are not suggestions — they are life-giving words from the King of kings. The fear of the Lord strengthens your conscience and guards you from sin.
“By the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.” — Proverbs 16:6
3. It Produces Humility and Repentance
Pride melts before the majesty of God. When you fear the Lord, you’re quick to repent, slow to boast, and eager to grow. You don’t treat sin lightly — because you see God rightly.
4. It Fuels Courage and Faithfulness
Ironically, the more you fear God, the less you fear anything else. The early church could face persecution boldly because they feared God more than man (Acts 5:29). Holy fear gives you backbone and boldness.
5. It Nurtures Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual immaturity is often marked by a lack of reverence — treating God like a buddy, or a vending machine, or an afterthought. But maturity begins when we take God seriously, and ourselves less so.
⚖️ Clarifying Misunderstandings
Let’s clear up some common errors about what it means to fear the Lord.
Misunderstanding #1: “Fear means being scared of God.”
Truth: God’s children don’t run from Him in terror — they run to Him in awe. Yes, He is holy and just. But through Christ, we approach Him with confidence and reverence (Hebrews 4:16).
Misunderstanding #2: “Fear is for the Old Testament.”
Truth: The New Testament commands us to fear the Lord too!
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” — Philippians 2:12
“Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.” — 1 Peter 1:17
The apostles feared God, the early church feared God, and we must too — because God has not changed.
Misunderstanding #3: “If I fear God, I can’t enjoy Him.”
Truth: Fear and joy go hand in hand.
“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” — Psalm 2:11
Holy fear makes God bigger in your eyes — and that fuels deeper joy, not less.
🌱 Application: Living with the Fear of the Lord
So how can you grow in the fear of the Lord?
1. Behold God’s Holiness
Spend time meditating on God’s majesty, righteousness, and greatness. Read passages like Isaiah 6, Revelation 4–5, and Exodus 19. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to God’s glory.
2. Tremble at His Word
Do you approach the Bible casually, or with awe? To fear the Lord means to take His Word seriously, allowing it to shape your heart, confront your sin, and guide your path.
3. Confess and Turn from Sin
The fear of the Lord leads to repentance. Don’t treat sin lightly. Ask God to show you where you’ve grown cold or careless — and walk in the light.
4. Worship with Reverence
Let your times of worship reflect both joy and reverence. Don’t rush in and out of God’s presence. Stand in awe of the One you sing to.
5. Submit to His Lordship
Fearing the Lord means saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” It’s a daily surrender to God’s authority — in your plans, your relationships, your finances, your time.
📣 Conclusion: Let the Fear of the Lord Transform You
To fear the Lord is to see God rightly — and to let that vision reshape your soul. It’s the beginning of wisdom, the fountain of life, and the gateway to true worship.
When you fear the Lord:
- You don’t play games with sin
- You don’t take grace for granted
- You don’t shrink God down to your size
Instead, you live with wonder, humility, courage, and obedience — because you know who God is.
Let the words of Ecclesiastes 12:13 be your compass:
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
May the fear of the Lord fill your heart, sharpen your mind, and guide your life — for His glory and your joy.