by Pat Lunsford

Created on: October 10, 2009   Last Updated: October 20, 2010

To fear God is to be awe-struck. He is perfectly holy which is the absolute absence of sin. His divine character alone warrants fearful adoration and the realization of his omnipotence is the beginning of wisdom.

Considering the insignificance of this sinful world, the magnitude of heaven, the briefness of time, and the vast extent of eternity, the very thought of not being in the Lamb's book of life is enough to instill the fear of God into anyone, except the unbeliever.

The unbeliever is commonly referred to in scripture as a fool. "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." (Psalm14:1) In order to fear God one has to believe he exists. When one comes to realize the overwhelming magnificence of God the first and most natural response is to bow to his absolute majesty.

As the believer prayerfully learns how to serve God wisdom increases and the life of the believer is forever changed. Our self-centered nature begins to give way to selflessness and patience. We begin to view the world through the eyes of Christ our Lord as he is being formed within us. (Gal.4:19)

The early Christians knew the fear of God very well. Most of them were eye witnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. Many of them saw the Holy Spirit take the lives of Ananias and his wife Sapphira after they had lied to him.

Peter said, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." Ananias fell dead right then at Peter's feet. When Peter confronted Sapphira, she lied also and immediately, she too fell dead. (Acts 5:1-5)

The fear of God ran throughout the early church which filled them with awe and amazement. They searched the word of God daily and served him passionately. Still, faith doesn't come as easily to us today as we haven't experienced anything like those of the early church. Nevertheless, Jesus said, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (Jn.20:29)

When the fear of God manifests in our heart we are driven to the scriptures. The word of God has power and as we feed upon it our spirit begins to grow and mature. The message penetrates and as we, by faith, apply the word to our daily lives we experience the results and increase in wisdom.

However, while the fear of the Lord means awe-struck reverence to the believer it means dread and terror to the unbeliever. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb. 10:31)

It pleases God when we reverence him with ultimate

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