Paul wrote the following to his disciple Timothy: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
The phrase “Fear not!” or “Don’t be afraid!” are repeated hundreds of times throughout the Bible.
Yet, we’re told, in several places, to fear God. So, what is it? Do we fear or do we not fear? Are those two ideas even compatible?
In today’s post we will uncover dozens of bible verses pertaining to the Fear of God.
What does it mean to fear the Lord?
The fear of God is a sign of absolute honor, awe, and amazement of who God is, what He has done, and complete respect for Him as our King, Ruler, and Father.
What Does the Fear of God Mean?
Here is my favorite definition for the fear of God: A positive feeling of awe or reverence for God which may be expressed in piety or formal worship.
We often make the mistake that God is like us (Psalm 50:21). Yes, we’re created in His image but He’s not like us.
There is a funny quote often attributed to Voltaire.
“In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since.”
Voltaire
God created EVERYTHING. I never learned to program a VCR and God created the human race with dirt. He spoke and light started and hasn’t ceased expanding.
He made the platypus, the zebra, and the hammerhead shark. The sun, the moon, and the stars are His handiwork.
He is worthy of our reverence and awe.
Should I Be Afraid of God?
This one can be a bit tricky. As Christians, our fear of God should be centered primarily in our awe, reverence, and respect of Him. However, there are times when a good dose of the other type of fear is helpful.
Allow me to provide an anecdotal example from my work life. For the most part, the bosses that were the toughest on me resulted in my best work. I knew that nothing would get past them. As such, every “I” was dotted and every “T” was crossed.
Our fallen nature needs constant supervision if you will. If we could live a life pleasing to God based only on our “love” for Him we would — but we don’t.
Paul said it this way:
Philippians 2:12-13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Paul did not say we work out our own salvation with love and joy or with peace and kindness. No, it’s with fear and trembling.
This text does not advocate working FOR salvation but working OUT our salvation.
Those outside the Kingdom should be afraid. Anyone who has rejected the saving Grace of our Lord and Savior should be extremely afraid of God.
Let’s uncover some bible verses that mention the fear of God.
The Fear of God Is The Beginning of Wisdom
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Job 28:28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’
The Fear of God Scriptures
Deuteronomy 8:6 Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him.
Ecclesiastes 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.
Luke 12:4-5 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. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has the power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Hebrews 5:7-8 Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Why Is It Important To Fear God
II Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Revelation 14:7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.
Psalm 147:11 The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness.
Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.
Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
and He will make them know His covenant.
The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Knowledge
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Scriptures on the Fear of God
Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Haggai 1:2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Blessing and the Fear of God
Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments?
Psalm 115:13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small together with the great.
Psalm 25:12-13 Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And his children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.
Fear the Lord
Hosea 3:5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.
Jonah 1:9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of Heaven, who made the sea and the dry ground.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.
The Fear of the Lord Verses
Malachi 3:5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien — because they do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.
Leviticus 19:32 You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.
Joshua 24:14 Now, therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!
Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Fear of God Sermons
Songs About Fear
This song never gets old to me! 🙂
Fleming and John were a breath of musical fresh air in the 90s!
Fear of God Books
Many moons ago, I got a copy of a book titled The Fear of the Lord. I sat down to read a chapter at about 9 pm but didn’t stop reading until I was complete. The book is less than 200 pages. I was severely convicted while reading it.
Jerry Bridges, one of my favorite authors, has a book titled The Joy of Fearing God. I’ve not read that book. However, everything that I have read from Mr. Bridges has been on point.
I hope these verses have been a blessing to you!
One more for good measure!
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.