The Fear of the Lord

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MW Editor’s Note: Mentoring Warriors welcomes back guest author and sage, Mike Hearne. Lean into his wisdom, and perhaps you will hear God speaking new things that will become core to your manhood character.  

• Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
• Acts 9:31 – The early church is described as “walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”  English Standard Version (ESV):

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

While obedience out of fear of displeasing God is certainly better than disobedience, the Bible often encourages a deeper, more love-driven relationship with Him. The ideal motivation for following His will is a heartfelt love and reverence—a desire to serve Him because of who He is, rather than just avoiding consequences.

Jesus emphasized love as the foundation of obedience, saying, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Similarly, in 1 John 4:18, it is written, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” This suggests that obedience out of love is a more fulfilling and spiritually mature response than obedience out of fear alone.

That said, the fear of the Lord can be the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and it often serves as a starting point for many people’s faith. Over time, as one deepens their understanding of God’s love, their obedience can shift from fear-based to love-driven.

Sharing the reverential awe of the Lord is about inspiring others to recognize His majesty, holiness, and love.

As we celebrated Easter on Sunday, we had a profound foundation for sharing the fear of the Lord—a reverential awe of His majesty and love. Throughout Scripture, this fear is not terror but deep respect and wonder, a response to God’s holiness, power, and grace.

Consider all the Father has done—creating the heavens and the earth, breathing life into humanity, and sending His Son as our Lord and Savior. Reflect on the Son’s incredible sacrifice—emptying Himself, taking on flesh, living a perfect life, yet enduring rejection, suffering, and death at the hands of His own people. And marvel at the work of the Holy Spirit, our ever-present Helper, the One who produces the fruit of the Spirit, gives wisdom and direction, and empowers us to walk in faith.

With such an awe-inspiring revelation, how can we not live and speak of the Godhead with reverence, gratitude, and joy? Let us embrace this truth, sharing the wonder of Easter and the glory of God with a world in need.

Sharing the reverential awe of the Lord is about inspiring others to recognize His majesty, holiness, and love. Here are some meaningful ways to do that:

1. Live a Life of Worship – Romans 12:1 Life

• Show awe through daily gratitude and worship.
• Let your actions reflect humility and reverence toward God.

2. Speak About His Greatness

• Share personal testimonies of how God has moved in your life.
• Use scripture to highlight His power and wisdom, like Psalm 145:3—”Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”

3. Reflect His Glory in Creation

• Point to the beauty of nature as a reflection of His creative power.
• Encourage moments of silence and reflection to experience His presence.
  • Favorite Quote:  Let Him permeate your now.

4. Walk in Obedience and Faith

• Show reverence by trusting God’s plan even in uncertainty.
• Demonstrate integrity and righteousness in your daily life.

A.W. Tozer, a renowned Christian theologian, wrote extensively about the attributes of God in his book The Attributes of God: A Journey Into the Father’s Heart. He emphasized both God’s infinite nature and His personal relationship with believers. Some of the key attributes Tozer highlighted include:

1. God’s Infinitude – He is limitless and beyond human comprehension.
2. God’s Immensity – His presence fills all creation.
3. God’s Goodness – He is morally perfect and kind.
4. God’s Justice – He is fair and righteous in all His judgments.
5. God’s Mercy – He extends compassion and forgiveness.
6. God’s Love – His love is unconditional and sacrificial.
7. God’s Omniscience – He knows all things, past, present, and future.
8. God’s Omnipotence – He is all-powerful and sovereign.
9. God’s Faithfulness – He keeps His promises and remains steadfast.
10. God’s Holiness – He is completely pure and set apart from sin.

Tozer’s writings encourage believers to seek a deeper understanding of God, not just intellectually but through personal experience and worship. If you’re interested, you can explore his book here or here. Which of these attributes resonates most with you?

Warrior On!