1. Shining as Lights in the World
With Fear and Trembling
Philippians 2:12
2.
3. Introductory Thoughts
Throughout the Bible we are taught to have fear
of or for God
Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 1:7
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
What exactly is this fear?
Today let's examine true Godly fear
4. Fear Defined
Two basic definitions of fear
Fear in the negative sense (undesirable)
Dread, fright, or terror caused by the expectation
of danger
Fear in the positive sense (desirable)
Reverence or awe toward power and authority
5. Fear Defined
The Greek words for fear in the New Testament
illustrate these two different meanings
Phobos - generic word for fear
Sometimes used in the first sense - Mark 9:5-6
Sometimes used in the second sense -
Ephesians 6:5
Deilia - timidity, cowardice
6. Fear Defined
The Greek words for fear in the New Testament
illustrate these two different meanings
Eulabeia - Godly fear, piety, devoutness
Eulabeia at first meant to be very careful in the
handling of some physical object lest it be broken
It then came to mean an extreme care in the things of
God lest He be offended
7. What the Fear of God Is Not
The fear of God which Christians are commanded
to have cannot be the first kind of fear
Consider the following reasons why this is true
The Christian, if he is obedient and faithful to the Lord,
is not in danger of being harmed by God -
Romans 8:1, 31-39
We are safe in the arms of Jesus only as long as we
remain within the safety of Jesus’ arms
God loves those who belong to Him in Christ, and
love drives the bad kind of fear out of a
relationship
8. What the Fear of God Is
Characteristics of Godly Fear - Hebrews 12:18-29
Reverence, respect for God
Awe, wonder at the power and majesty of God
Respect for God’s commandments
A healthy fear of God’s punishment
Examples of Godly Fear
Noah - Hebrews 11:7
Abraham - Genesis 22:12
Christ - Hebrews 5:7
9. What the Fear of God Is
Results of Godly fear
Knowledge, wisdom - Proverbs 1:7 - Proverbs 9:10
Holiness, purity - 2 Corinthians 7:1 - 1 Peter 1:17
Proper relationships with others - Ephesians 5:21
Interest in teaching others the gospel -
2 Corinthians 5:11
Courage to face persecution or death - John 16:33
Confidence before God - 1 John 4:16-18
10. Concluding Thoughts
Our fundamental duty is to fear God obediently
This fear of God is not a cowardly dread or terror,
but a wholesome, uplifting respect and
reverence for God, His will, and His
punishment of the disobedient
May we correctly understand and apply what it
truly does mean to fear God, and may we enjoy
the great benefits of that attitude toward Him
