A forgotten virtue with present power

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). Scripture is clear: this is foundational, not optional. It is not a relic from harsher times; it is the doorway to reality as God defines it.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). Because Scripture is God’s inerrant, sufficient, and authoritative Word, we receive these truths literally and gladly. The early church walked in this posture—and multiplied (Acts 9:31).

What Scripture means by “fear”

Biblically, fear is not a nervous flinch before a volatile deity. It is trembling awe in the presence of the Holy One—an affectionately obedient posture that hates evil, loves His ways, and takes Him at His Word. “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever” (Psalm 19:9).

This fear is weighty and joyful. It steadies our steps, clarifies our choices, deepens our worship, and draws us near. It is the humility that fits creatures to their Creator.

- Awe at His holiness (Isaiah 6; Habakkuk 2:20; Hebrews 12:28–29: “Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”).

- Hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13: “To fear the LORD is to hate evil.”).

- Obedient turning from sin (Deuteronomy 10:12–13; Proverbs 16:6: “by the fear of the LORD a man turns from evil.”).

- Intimacy with God (Psalm 25:14: “The LORD confides in those who fear Him…”).

- Joyful reverence (Psalm 2:11: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”).

- Missional urgency (Revelation 14:7: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.”).

- Provision and blessing (Psalm 34:9; Psalm 115:13).

- Life and protection (Proverbs 14:27).

Fear that fuels wisdom and holiness

Fear of the Lord makes us teachable, not touchy. It breaks the pride that refuses correction and opens us to counsel, discipline, and the whole counsel of God (Proverbs 1; Psalm 111:10). It grows into a life shaped by obedience rather than opinion.

This fear powers sanctification. “Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). We “work out” what God works in—“with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12–13).

- Read and tremble: take in Scripture daily, slowly, with a yielded heart (Isaiah 66:2; Psalm 119).

- Confess quickly and specifically; do not make peace with “small” sins (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13).

- Obey promptly in hard places; delay breeds deception (James 1:22; John 14:15).

- Guard your words; speak as before God (James 3; Matthew 12:36).

- Steward time, body, and money under His gaze (Ephesians 5:15–17; Proverbs 3:9–10).

- Flee sexual immorality; pursue purity with visible boundaries (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 2 Timothy 2:22).

Fear and the cross of Christ

At the cross, love and justice meet. The Father did not shrug at sin; He judged it in the Son. This sobers our hearts, even as it secures our assurance (Romans 3:21–26; Galatians 3:13). We are freed from the dread of condemnation, not from the reverence that obeys.

Jesus Himself said, “Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5). The fear of the Lord and the grace of the Lord are not rivals; grace trains us to renounce ungodliness (Titus 2:11–14).

- Repentance without despair (2 Corinthians 7:10).

- Humility without presumption (Romans 11:20–22).

- Bold witness without flattery (2 Corinthians 5:10–11).

- Awe in the assembly (Acts 2:43; Acts 5:11: “Great fear came upon the whole church and all who heard about these events.”).

Recovering the fear of the Lord in our homes and churches

Homes are training grounds for holy awe. Parents nurture it by Scripture, prayer, confession, and integrity in the ordinary—at tables, in car rides, at bedtime (Deuteronomy 6:1–9; 6:24). Families that fear the Lord are a bulwark in crooked days (Psalm 128).

Churches flourish when God is not treated casually. Read Scripture publicly, preach the whole counsel, sing truth with depth, confess sin corporately, and approach the Table discerningly (1 Timothy 4:13; Acts 20:27; 1 Corinthians 11:27–32).

- Preach God’s holiness, sovereignty, justice, and mercy (Isaiah 6; Revelation 4–5).

- Recover a robust Lord’s Day rhythm and reverent liturgy (Hebrews 12:28–29; Psalm 100).

- Practice loving, patient church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15).

- Normalize mutual exhortation and accountability (Hebrews 3:12–13; James 5:16).

- Train children and new believers to fear God joyfully (Proverbs 1–9; Deuteronomy 31:12–13).

- Guard the pastoral charge with sobriety (2 Timothy 4:1–5; Ezekiel 33).

Fear that advances the mission

The fear of the Lord breaks the fear of man. Knowing we will give account, we speak plainly about sin, righteousness, and judgment, and we hold out Christ crucified and risen as the only refuge (John 16:8–11; Acts 17:30–31; 2 Corinthians 5:10–11).

This posture gives our witness gravity without harshness. We warn because we love. We plead because we believe. We do not water down what God has not watered down (Galatians 1:10; Acts 20:20–21).

- Speak the truth about God’s holiness and human guilt (Romans 1–3; Romans 3:18: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”).

- Call for repentance and faith with clarity (Luke 24:46–48; Acts 26:19–20).

- Keep the Last Day in view (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 14:7).

- Live visibly distinct lives that adorn the gospel (1 Peter 2:12; Titus 2:10).

- Pray for open doors and open hearts, then step through them (Colossians 4:2–6; Acts 4:29–31).

Walking in holy awe, every day

The fear of the Lord is not a mood; it is a manner of life. It holds together love and loyalty, joy and trembling, confidence and caution. “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

This is the pathway to durable joy, sturdy wisdom, and fruitful mission. “Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:9).

- Begin the day by acknowledging God’s holiness and your creaturely dependence (Psalm 90; Psalm 19:14).

- Carry a verse on the fear of the Lord to meditate on hourly (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 19:9; Proverbs 14:27).

- Choose one concrete act of obedience each day that costs you something (Luke 9:23; John 14:21).

- End with confession and thanksgiving, asking for a softer heart for tomorrow (Psalm 139:23–24; Psalm 4:4).

Christ, our delight and our dread

He delights in the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2–3). He is the Holy One whom we adore, the Judge before whom we will stand, and the Savior in whom we rest. “The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:13).

Held by grace, we walk in holy awe. “Then the church … walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, … grew in numbers” (Acts 9:31). May that be our testimony in these days.

- The cross removes the terror of condemnation (Romans 8:1; 1 John 4:18) while establishing reverent fear that obeys (Hebrews 12:28–29). Hold both without blurring either.

- Examine where “grace” has become an excuse for sin, and where “fear” has become unbelieving dread (Jude 4; Psalm 130:3–4).

- Fear and the Spirit

- The Spirit is “the Spirit of the fear of the LORD,” and He causes delight in that fear (Isaiah 11:2–3; Jeremiah 32:40).

- Pray for this Spirit-wrought posture in leadership teams, families, and small groups (Ephesians 1:17–19; Acts 9:31).

- Fear and corporate worship

- Contrast shallow familiarity with biblical reverence: read weighty texts publicly; include confession and assurance; approach the Table with discernment (1 Timothy 4:13; Nehemiah 8; 1 Corinthians 11:27–32).

- Evaluate songs and liturgies for God-centeredness, doctrinal clarity, and a balance of joy and trembling (Psalm 2:11; Psalm 96:9).

- Fear and preaching/discipleship

- Preach the perfections of God that produce fear: holiness, justice, omniscience, sovereignty (Exodus 34:5–7; Isaiah 40).

- Disciple with the wisdom literature: work through Proverbs 1–9 so disciples “understand the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 2:1–5).

- Fear and mission in a hostile culture

- The fear of the Lord liberates from the fear of man (Matthew 10:28; Proverbs 29:25). Practice truth-telling with gentleness and backbone (1 Peter 3:14–16).

- Keep the coming judgment seat in view to sustain clarity and compassion (2 Corinthians 5:10–11; Revelation 14:7).

- Fear and discipline/restoration

- Church discipline, done biblically, increases reverence in the body and restores the wandering (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5–11).

- Leaders model grief over sin, not grandstanding, and anchor every step in Scripture (Galatians 6:1–2; James 5:19–20).

- Fear, joy, and reward

- God “is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). The fear of the Lord treasures Him above all and lives for eternal reward (Matthew 6:19–21; Isaiah 33:6).

- Cultivate habits that fix hearts on the unseen: fasting, secret giving, unhurried meditation (Matthew 6; Psalm 1).

- Texts to memorize together

- Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 19:9; Psalm 25:14; Psalm 34:9; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 16:6; Isaiah 8:13; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Luke 12:5; Hebrews 12:28–29; Revelation 14:7.

“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure” (Isaiah 33:6).