Just a word of reminder... Each of these principles are to be mastered by study and sharing with another believer that you are discipling. The more people you share with, the more you will master the principle in your own life!
Please let me know that you are doing this, I would love to hear from you!
Dr. Paul Evans
I. Definition of the Fear ofGod
Note:Like a diamond with 7 sides, these 7 points make up the whole of what the fear
of the Lord is in totality.
1. Anawareness of God’s awesome continual presence around us and in us.
Psalm 16:8; 139:7-10; Romans 8:9; 1Corinthians 3:16
2. Adeep sense of awe, wonder, and respect of who God is and what He does.
Psalm 19:1-14… through creation and HisWord
Revelation 1:9-20; Isaiah 6:1-8… throughdifficulties
3. Genuineconnection and submission to Jesus as Lord as well as Savior of our life
John 15:1-11; Colossians 2:6; James 4:7
4. Acommitment to honor, glorify, and magnify Jesus in all that we do and think. 1
Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17; Psalm 69:30
5. Aserious commitment to be devoted to His word.
Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:2, 24; Acts 2:42-43;John 8:31
6. Anunderstanding and living out a lifestyle of our personal accountability to Him
of our thoughts, motives, actions, and words. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14;
1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians5:9-11; 1 Peter 1:17;
Revelation 20: 11-15
7. Acommitment to walk in humility and be constantly crucifying our pride.
Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:3-8
Very Important Note:
In addition, this is the first teaching and thenbecomes the last teaching, Point VI. In that after all the teaching the
question must be asked, “What can I do to build the Fear of the Lord in my
Life?” It is focusing on these areas to be working on to build the Fear of the
Lord!!!
II.Levels of the Fear of the Lord
There are a couple ofimportant matters to consider regarding levels of the Fear of the Lord:
1. There actually are various levels ofthe Fear of the Lord. Some might think you either have the Fearof the Lord or you don’t. Nehemiah 7:2 reports that these 2 men “feared the
Lord more than most.” Consideration of Romans 3:1-18 and Luke 18:2, we discover
another level. So, we can conclude that the scripture teaches there are several
levels that can be clearly identified:
(1) Nofear of the Lord. Romans 3:1-18
(2) Morefear than most. Nehemiah 7:2
(3) Littlefear of the Lord 2 Kings 17:28-41
2. The level of the Fear of the Lord aperson has can be built up or it can be slowly drained away. Thisis not an “on and off” switch that can occur quickly. It is more of a process
that can be quite slow at times. This presents a danger because one might not
be so aware that the Fear of the Lord is slowly draining out of their life by
their distracted focus or other issues demanding attention in their life.
3. Building up and maintaining a higherlevel of the Fear of the Lord will require sincere attention, commitment, and
hard work on our part. The fear of the Lord is:
(1) Itis a constant state of being,
(2) aprevailing attitude of the heart,
(3) acontinuous experience of life
III.Characteristics of those who Fear the Lord
1. They experience and have regular intimacywith the Lord Psalm 25:14
2. Evil is not an option or a considerationin their life Job 1:1
3. One takes responsibility for his life andmistakes he makes and doesn’t blame God others Job 1:22
4. Mind and heart is set on God seeking tolive a holy life Isaiah 26:3; Colossians 3:1
5. One honors and delights in the Word of GodPsalm 112:1
6. Submission to others and Obedience to GodGenesis 22:12; Colossians 3:22-25; Hebrews 12:28
7. People who are humble and faithful Jeremiah44:10; Nehemiah 7:2
8. People who find regular awe and wonder inwho God is and His handiwork all around them. Psalm 19:1-6
Notes:
(1) You can easily find lots of otherscriptures that support each of these points.
(2) The characteristics of those who do notfear the Lord are the opposites of these listed.
(3) There may even be more you can find in thescriptures as you study.
9. Theylive a blessed and contented life. Psalms 112:1; 128:1-4; 147:11; Proverbs
15:16; 28:14; Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
10. Theirlifestyle demonstrates their walk in the Fear of the Lord Psalms 60:4
11. Theyhelp the local churches grow and multiply. Acts 9:31
IV.The Benefits and Consequences of Fearing or Not Fearing the Lord
Introduction: Wespend time, effort, and prayer in building the fear of the Lord through the 7
definitions. We have naturally flowing out of our lives the characteristics of
those who fear the Lord and if these characteristics are weak or lacking, we
need to spend more time building the points of the definition rather than
getting sidetracked trying to work on the characteristics. Now, once we have
that growing well in our lives, these are the benefits and/or results in a
person’s life that fears the Lord more than most along with the concurrent
consequence!
1. It prolongs the time of a life.
It shortens life.
Deuteronomy 5:33; 6:2; Psalm 34:11-12;Proverbs 10:27; Ecclesiastes 7:17-18; 8:12-13
(Consider Hebrews 9:27)
2. It produces a quality of life and experiencing God’s love,favor, and mercy.
It lessens the quality oflife and experiencing God’s love, favor, and mercy.
Proverbs 14:27; 15:16; 19:23; 22:4;Psalms 31:19; 33:18-19; 34:9; 103:11,13,17; 115:13; 145:19; Isaiah 33:6;
Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:50
“Abide” Is an imperfect verb(continuous action)
“Visited” imperfect verb: not to haverule over me or move me or have oversight over me!
“Want” or “lack” indicatessatisfaction.
(1) Thatis satisfying.
(2) Thatis fulfilling.
(3) Thatis confident in the Lord and His promises
(4) Thatregularly experiences God’s love, favor, and mercy
3. It provides protection over our life.
It diminishes the protection of God overour life.
Proverbs 14:26, Psalms 34:7, 19; 33:18-19;115:11; Matthew 10:16ff
4. It releases the Holy Spirit’s work of the sanctifyingprocess of our salvation.
It stalls or even stops the Holy Spirit’swork of the sanctifying process of our salvation. Psalms 85:9;1Peter 1:1-2; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:12-13
5. It is a weapon against sin.
It is an invitation and a pathway ofsinful behavior.
Exodus 20:20; Proverbs 16:6; 2 Corinthians7:1; 1 Peter 1:17; Proverbs 1:24-31
…committing sin, getting stuck in the mireof sin, and reaping the consequences.
“Conduct” in the aorist tense which meansto overthrow… overthrow ourselves is reference to overthrowing the sinful
nature. Because of the passive voice, the indication that someone else besides
ourself is doing the action… God is!!! On our behalf.
We understand our accountability to theLord so we call out to Him for help… help me Holy Spirit!!!
6. It provides assurance that God hears us and is keeping“notes” about us.
There is no assurancethat God hears us but is still keeping “notes” about us.
Nehemiah 1:11; Proverbs 15:29; 28:9;Psalms 66:18; 145:19; Isaiah 1:15; 59:2; Micah 3:4; Malachi 3:16; John 9:31; 1 Peter 3:12
7. TheLord confides in us sharing many intimate things about His covenant with us.
We miss these specialsecrets.
Psalm 25:14
8. Webring delight to the Lord.
We break God’s heart.
Psalm 147:11
Ephesians 4:30
Jeremiah 8:18-22
9. It helps us to easily hear God and be divinelyinstructed.
It is easy to miss Godspeaking or be divinely instructed.
Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalms 25:12; Acts9:10-18; 10:2-3, 22; John 8:47; 10:27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17;
10.It places us in a position to be appointed andentrusted by God to special assignments and positions.
It causes us to miss or misunderstanddivine appointments and special assignments from God.
Nehemiah 7:2; Exodus 18:21-22a; Psalm60:4; Acts 6:3-7; 9:10-18
11.It is the basis and the avenue for genuine spiritualwisdom and knowledge.
It will cause a lack ofspiritual wisdom and knowledge.
Psalm 11:10; Proverbs 1:7
12.It is how rewards are built up in heaven.
It is how the degrees of torment aredetermined in hell
Revelation11:18; 20:12-15; Matthew 5:12; 10:14-15; 16:27; 23:14; Luke 12:47-481
Corinthians 3:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 2:12; James 3:1; 2
Peter2:20-22
V. What causes us to lose the Fear of the Lord?
1. The development of pride and the lack ofhumility. Jeremiah 44:7-10; James 4:6; Proverbs 11:2 Consider Lucifer’s fall
Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-17
2. Negative responses to life’scircumstances. Judas Iscariot example. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11; 2 Corinthians
4:16-18; Romans 8:28
3. Lack of sowing into the Kingdom of God.Deuteronomy 14:23; Proverbs 11:24; Galatians 6:7-10
4. Unequally yoked in relationships Joshua22:25; Proverbs 12:26; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17
5. Inappropriately dealing with sins in ourlife by: Proverbs 6:12-19; 1:22-31; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11
(1) Justifying
(2) Minimizing
(3) Rationalizing
(4) Blame-shifting
6. Sexual Immorality 1 Corinthians 10:1-11; 1Thessalonians 4:1-8; Proverbs 5:20-23
7. Idolatry 1 Corinthians 10:6-11, 14-22; 1Samuel 15:23; Jonah 2:8
8. Love for this present world 2 Timothy 4:9;Hebrews 13:5; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 3:3-4
9. Disregarding the Word of God. 1 Samuel15:20-23; Psalm 112:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 8:31-32; Mathew 4:4; 1 John
2:14; Romans 10:17; 15:4; Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:2, 24
10.Fear of man, circumstances, devil, world,and death. Proverbs 29:25; 1 Samuel 15:24; Hebrews 2:15
11.Unresolved hurt. This unresolved hurtdevelops anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and depression as well as lots of
other issues. Genesis 4:1-15 Cain and Abel; 1 Samuel 18:6-9 Saul and David;
Luke 23:32-43; Luke 4:18-19
12.We simply don’t choose it Proverbs 1:29
VI. Definition of the Fear ofGod
Note:Like a diamond with 7 sides, these 7 points make up the whole of what the fear
of the Lord is in totality. Let’s consider these again.
1. Anawareness of God’s awesome continual presence around us and in us.
Psalm 16:8; 139:7-10; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians3:16
2. Adeep sense of awe, wonder, and respect of who God is and what He does.
Psalm 19:1-14… through creation and HisWord
Revelation 1:9-20; Isaiah 6:1-8… throughdifficulties
3. Genuineconnection and submission to Jesus as Lord as well as Savior of our life
John 15:1-11; Colossians 2:6; James 4:7
4. Acommitment to honor, glorify, and magnify Jesus in all that we do and think. 1
Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17; Psalm 69:30
5. Aserious commitment to be devoted to His word.
Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:2, 24; Acts 2:42-43;John 8:31
6. Anunderstanding and living out a lifestyle of our personal accountability to Him
of our thoughts, motives, actions, and words. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14;
1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians5:9-11; 1 Peter 1:17;
Revelation 20: 11-15
7. Acommitment to walk in humility and be constantly crucifying our pride.
Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:3-8