THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Proverbs 1:7 -The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Introduction: Respecting God = Doing what He wants me to do.
Recognition of holiness must bring fear! Revelation 15:4, IICorinthians 7:1, Psalm 99
There is a right kind and a wrong kind of fear.
One of the precious messages of the Bible is "Fear not", used about 50 times.

1. Meaning of "Fear of the Lord" or "Fear of God" - Proverbs 14:26-27
   1. One explanation is reverential trust with a hatred of evil.
   2. Fear of the Lord means piety (dutiful respect), Proverbs 8:13 and 14:2.
   3. It is used to express our religious duty toward God - Deuteronomy 4:10.
   4. It is essential but not inherited.
   5. It is something that must be taught in each generation.
   6. Fear is the thing that God requires from each of us.
   7. It is a purpose of creation. Deuteronomy 6:13, Ecclesiastes 12:13.
   
   
   
2. Things we are not to fear - II Kings 11:36-41, Proverbs 29:25
   1. Idols or other gods - II Kings 17:38
   2. We are to fear no man - I Samuel 15:24, We are to fear the Lord only.
   3. We are not to fear earthly calamities for they signify the near return of our Savior - Luke 21:25-28
   4. We are not to fear "fear" - Job 15:24, The believer casts all his earthly fears on the Lord. I Peter 5:7
   
   
3. The fear of God is commanded - Deuteronomy 13:4, I Peter 2:17, Psalms 22:23
   1. The earthly disciples set up a noble example in this matter - Acts 9:31 Acts 10:2
   2. The fear of God teaches us to live circumspect (cautious and watchful) lives - II Corinthians 7:1
   3. This Godly fear becomes a powerful motivating force in our lives - Ecclesiastes 12:13, Deuteronomy 10:12, I Peter 2:17
   
   
4. Description of the fear of the Lord
   1. Hatred of evil - Proverbs 8:13
   2. Wisdom - Psalms 111:10
   3. A treasure - Proverbs 15:16
   4. A fountain of life - Proverbs 14:27
   5. Clean - Psalms 19:9
   6. Endures forever - Psalms 19:9
   7. Godly - Hebrews 12:28