The fear of the Lord is often discussed in the Bible but is seldom mentioned in Christian circles or preached from the pulpit. The fear of the Lord involves a profound reverence for the majesty and holiness of our almighty God, but it comprises much more. It is the realization that everything we think, say, and do, including our motives, is present constantly before the Lord, and one day we will give account for them to the Lord.

Actions: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV).

Words: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36, ESV).

Thoughts: “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away” (Psalm 139:2, NLT).

Motives: “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:5, NIV).

One reason our post-Christian society is breaking apart is because we ignore the moral accountability that faith in God’s Word and the reality of standing before the Lord as judge brings to our lives.

Cultural commentator, Jonah Goldberg, wrote in Suicide of the West: “The notion that God is watching you even when others are not is probably the most powerful civilizing force in all of human history.” He adds: 

If you think God is watching and speaking to you through conscience, you’re going to think twice about your actions. Or at least it will give you a strong incentive to think twice. 

This is why “the fear of the Lᴏʀᴅ is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

If Jesus is your Savior and Lord, your eternal salvation is assured (cf. John 10:28-29; Romans 8:31-39), but your eternal rewards and privileges in Heaven are not. Because God loves us, He warns us away from all that is not best for us. Disobedience to His will and His Word will therefore be harmful for us and have detrimental consequences (Galatians 6:7). If your doctor was all wise and all loving, would you not obey his medical advice whether you understood its purpose or not? Let’s trust an almighty, all-knowing, and gracious God to give us spiritual directions that are best for our present and future well-being. 

Would you ask God to help you experience the fear of the Lord and live daily with the reality that God is watching and evaluating everything you do and will one day judge accordingly? If you did, what actions would cease? What motives would be purified? What words would not be spoken? What thoughts would change?

“For we sill all stand before the judgment seat of God. So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10b, 12).

Why should we fear the Lord? What are the rewards of learning to fear the Lord? Join us next week for a continuing discussion on the fear of the Lord.

(Material adapted from the Institute in Basics Youth Conflicts (Supplementary Alumni Book, Vol. 3)