The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

Rarely discussed, and even less understood, yet a foundational truth to life in Christ.

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Acts 5:26 – Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

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Fearing the Lord without the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, I believe, gives place for misunderstanding, and is therefore too often avoided in teaching and conversation.  And when it is taught or discussed, it is done so in a manner that keeps hidden the great work of the fear of the Lord in one’s life.  Think of this.  How often in the Scriptures, especially in the words of Jesus Himself, do we read a command like, “Fear not?”  And yet we read throughout the Scriptures of the importance of the fear of the Lord.  It seems to me that “the fear of the Lord” is NOT to be taken in the same understanding of what it means to be fearful, or to be afraid.  I simply ask that you consider what I say.

Take a moment and read Isaiah 11:2-3, followed by Deuteronomy 28:10.  I believe that when read together, these two passages can bring great clarity to one’s understanding of the “fear of the Lord,” and especially, “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord.”

First of all, allow me to be as clear as possible.  Our Great God, the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are in NO way to be taken lightly.  Rather, Jehovah, in all His manifestations, should be taken very seriously and with great reverence.  This is certainly an element of the fear of the Lord.  To “fear the Lord” is to stand in great and steadfast reverential awe of God, Who He is, and He can and desires to do.  But to see and hold that perspective in its proper place, one needs to have the unmistakable presence of “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord” in one’s life.  For that to be clearly seen, we must “see this coin” from its other side.  While “fearing the Lord” is an attitude that should indwell all men, especially believers, “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord” is the abiding presence of Holy Ghost in one’s life that ONLY belongs to the believer, the child of God.  When that is present upon one’s life, there is a notable manifestation on that life that is perceived by the world, though is will not understand it.  The problem arises when the believer does not understand it, and too often pulls back from it.

Once again read Deuteronomy 28:10.  Do you see it?  There it clearly states that “the world shall be afraid of you because they see you are called by the Name of the Lord.”  That, dear one, is a clear manifestation of “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord.”  That done not mean that the world will run from you in stark terror.  Rather it means that you very presence will bring upon them a sense of the need to stand in awe of you as you stand in awe of your Lord.  It is, in effect, a manifestation of the law of reciprocity.  Read it, my friend, believe it, and let faith arise in your heart, making room for Holy Spirit to manifest His proven Word in your life.

Manna for Today – Acts 5:17-42; Isaiah 11:2-3; Psalm 19:9 & 34:11; Proverbs 8:13, 9:18, 10:27,    14:26-27, 15:33, & 19:23; Acts 9:31; Deuteronomy 28:10