Lets be serious does anyone really fear God?

[brodano]

I haven't heard it preached in years what has happen to our chruches.. Scared it might offend some one.

[OnTheFritz]

In my opinion, we should fear the Lord as a means of respect. As far as fear-based preaching... I don't see the big benefit. It reminds me of fear-based parenting... short-term results. I get the most out of preaching that furthers the development of my relationship with God.

[Ferd]

not nearly enough.

and anytime you hear about it, someone complains they are being picked on and mean preachers are using scare tactics.

don'cha know God is LOVE!

[Brad Murphy]

I got tired of spending my life in fear... just seemed like there should be more to it than that...

[Ferd]

I got tired of spending my life in fear... just seemed like there should be more to it than that...

Brad, the fear of God isnt that. I am sorry that was your experience.

[Ron]

Fear of God is different than terror! That is what a sinner feels in taking his las breath.
Fear of God is realizing that he is God & I will answer for everything in my life.

It is a healthy respect.

[ReformedDave]

Matthew 10:28-- And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

[dizzyde]

Fear of God is different than terror! That is what a sinner feels in taking his las breath.
Fear of God is realizing that he is God & I will answer for everything in my life.

It is a healthy respect.

Sadly brother, I think that is all some people know, to be afraid of God.

[Sister Alvear]

I fear the Lord. I reverence Him and honor Him.

[Tyk]

Fear of God is different than terror! That is what a sinner feels in taking his las breath.
Fear of God is realizing that he is God & I will answer for everything in my life.

It is a healthy respect.

It is that simple, yet many people would feel people of this opinion, don't "fear" God..

:(

[Pro31:28]

Well this is the way I see it, My children have a healthy "reverence" for their Dad. They know that if they directly disobey, he will not be happy.... They also know that they can mess up and he will forgive them. Their love for him far outweighs any fear.
But they also know that he holds their little lives by a thread (that last sentence was just for the sake of drama).
So do I "fear" God? in the sense that I know that I am his child and that every breath I take depends on his grace, yes.
Am I afraid of Him? No, because I understand that He has only good things in mind for one of his favorite girls! (tic)
Even though I may not always see His Good gifts as being good, He is sovereign. He is not hiding behind a bush waiting to pounce if I mess up, He loves me and wants to guide me in the paths of righteousness-- not beat me into submission

[Cindy]

Well this is the way I see it, My children have a healthy "reverence" for their Dad. They know that if they directly disobey, he will not be happy.... They also know that they can mess up and he will forgive them. Their love for him far outweighs any fear.
But they also that he holds their little lives by a thread (that last sentence was just for the sake of drama).
So do I "fear" God? in the sense that I know that I am his child and that every breath I take depends on his grace, yes.
Am I afraid of Him? No, because I understand that He has only good things in mind for one of his favorite girls! (tic)
Even though I may not always His Good gifts as being good, He is sovereign. He is not hiding behind a bush waiting to pounce if I mess up, He loves me and wants to guide me in the paths of righteousness-- not beat me into submission

What she said!

[dizzyde]

What she said!

Copycat!! :neener

[Carpenter]

The fear of God is the fear of potentially of spending eternity without him and the loss of communion with HIM on a daily basis.

[Pro31:28]

The fear of God is the fear of potentially of spending eternity without him and the loss of communion with HIM on a daily basis.

I politely disagree Carpenter,
My children do not live in constant fear that their Dad will kick them out, if they did, there would be very little joy in our home, and there is plenty!

[ReformedDave]

Matthew 10:28-- And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

So what does one do with this verse? Christ said this to His disciples. Sounds a bit more than just a respect.

[Brad Murphy]

I've had this discussion before a couple of times, regarding whether it is possible to both fear and have an "intimate" loving relationship with God at the same time.

[Mrs. LPW]

I've had this discussion before a couple of times, regarding whether it is possible to both fear and have an "intimate" loving relationship with God at the same time.

The fear of the Lord isn't terror.
It's the begining of all wisdom though.

In NA, there is very little fear of the Lord.

[ReformedDave]

I've had this discussion before a couple of times, regarding whether it is possible to both fear and have an "intimate" loving relationship with God at the same time.

Analogies, when describing God always break down, but does this have to be an either-or proposition? How about C. S. Lewis' lion Aslan? You can love him but never forget he's still a lion.

[Brad Murphy]

The fear of the Lord isn't terror.
It's the begining of all wisdom though.

In NA, there is very little fear of the Lord.

This is where the desensitization argument regarding television comes back to bite people... some of us have just been desensitized from fearing the Lord because that is all we heard for the first 20 years of our lives. It doesn't matter how scary something is, if you hear it every day, eventually you stop worrying about it.

[Carpenter]

I politely disagree Carpenter,
My children do not live in constant fear that their Dad will kick them out, if they did, there would be very little joy in our home, and there is plenty!

This is a good point, and I agree, however church folk are made to fear hell, and the debbil, and death and all other manner of snakes and mongooses... We should have a fear of breaking communion with the Lord, that we would engage in unrepentant sin that would separate us from him. THIS is what scares me about sin, the fear of God. I don't fear that I may get hit by a bus when I walk out the doors of the church after not going to the altar for one service.

I fear separation and communion from my Jesus and that is what scares me about sin.

[Mrs. LPW]

This is where the desensitization argument regarding television comes back to bite people... some of us have just been desensitized from fearing the Lord because that is all we heard for the first 20 years of our lives. It doesn't matter how scary something is, if you hear it every day, eventually you stop worrying about it.

Yes, the Bible talks about that.



2 Peter 3:

1........which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.



8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

[RandyWayne]

Well this is the way I see it, My children have a healthy "reverence" for their Dad. They know that if they directly disobey, he will not be happy.... They also know that they can mess up and he will forgive them. Their love for him far outweighs any fear.
But they also know that he holds their little lives by a thread (that last sentence was just for the sake of drama).
So do I "fear" God? in the sense that I know that I am his child and that every breath I take depends on his grace, yes.
Am I afraid of Him? No, because I understand that He has only good things in mind for one of his favorite girls! (tic)
Even though I may not always see His Good gifts as being good, He is sovereign. He is not hiding behind a bush waiting to pounce if I mess up, He loves me and wants to guide me in the paths of righteousness-- not beat me into submission


Very very good post!

Every time I have ever heard "fear" preached it was in relation to God striking anyone down who dared "touched God's anointed". Meaning it was using fear as a means of control and not of respect. The person demanding respect was always the person speaking.

[Pro31:28]

Very very good post!

Every time I have ever heard "fear" preached it was in relation to God striking anyone down who dared "touched God's anointed". Meaning it was using fear as a means of control and not of respect. The person demanding respect was always the person speaking.

:friend
Been there done that!

[Mrs. LPW]

I really feel for some of you.

[Pro31:28]

I really feel for some of you.

What do you mean?

[Mrs. LPW]

What do you mean?

It sounds like some of you have had some awful pastors in your past.
I feel for you. I don't have that. I've heard my share of idiots in my lifetime but when I hear the term "fear of the Lord" I don't immediately jump to a negative image in my mind... rather I immediately think of how the fear of the Lord has kept me, and I thank God I haven't fallen prey to the spirit of this age.

( point of the post... my mind jumps to something positive... )

[mizpeh]

What she said!

Ditto!

[onewayman]

the bible states to fear god and keep his commandments

[Pro31:28]

It sounds like some of you have had some awful pastors in your past.
I feel for you. I don't have that. I've heard my share of idiots in my lifetime but when I hear the term "fear of the Lord" I don't immediately jump to a negative image in my mind... rather I immediately think of how the fear of the Lord has kept me, and I thank God I haven't fallen prey to the spirit of this age.

( point of the post... my mind jumps to something positive... )

Well you seemed like a super-neeto person, so I was surprised at what I thought you meant... and I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion, and I apologize!
You don't need to feel for me though, I have an awesome pastor now, and God had led me on this journey all the way!

Thanks for the kind thoughts

[Mrs. LPW]

Well you seemed like a super-neeto person, so I was surprised at what I thought you meant... and I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion, and I apologize!
You don't need to feel for me though, I have an awesome pastor now, and God had led me on this journey all the way!

Thanks for the kind thoughts


I must say I've never been called that before!
:friend

[lisafitzh2o]

Please, PLEASE don't get irritated at me for being nit-picky, but could someone please fix the title of this thread and put a capital "G" on God?

Thanks!:couch

[BrotherEastman]

Okay folks don't laugh but I'll tell you my experience concerning fear. I'm usually not afraid of anything; however, when I was backslid (or sometimes when I feel backslid) I would be afraid literally that lightning would strike me when it was storming outside. I don't guess it's so much as the lightning as it is of dieing w/out God that make me fearful.
I remember when I was a young boy, I used to think that God would strike me with lightning (as one time I really had a close call) whenever I "messed up". Thank God I have a better understanding of His grace now.

[RandyWayne]

Okay folks don't laugh but I'll tell you my experience concerning fear. I'm usually not afraid of anything; however, when I was backslid (or sometimes when I feel backslid) I would be afraid literally that lightning would strike me when it was storming outside. I don't guess it's so much as the lightning as it is of dieing w/out God that make me fearful.
I remember when I was a young boy, I used to think that God would strike me with lightning (as one time I really had a close call) whenever I "messed up". Thank God I have a better understanding of His grace now.

Amen. While there are certainly stories of people being struck dead, I also know we don't serve a "Gotchya! God" who is looking and waiting for us to screw up so we can die between 5 PM (when we sin) and 8 pm (when we get around to repent).

[Michael The Disciple]

God is love. God is a consuming fire. If there is sin in our life unrepented of we should be greatly afraid.

[stmatthew]

Amen. While there are certainly stories of people being struck dead, I also know we don't serve a "Gotchya! God" who is looking and waiting for us to screw up so we can die between 5 PM (when we sin) and 8 pm (when we get around to repent).


The sad part is that it would take some of us "saints" that long to allow the Holy Ghost to convict us of sin.

[Pro31:28]

Amen. While there are certainly stories of people being struck dead, I also know we don't serve a "Gotchya! God" who is looking and waiting for us to screw up so we can die between 5 PM (when we sin) and 8 pm (when we get around to repent).

I couldn't agree more :dance

[Pro31:28]

If fear is the only thing that makes one run to the altar, there is a problem...

[Michael The Disciple]

The discerning reader will notice this inspired statement by the writer of Hebrews:

1: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2: For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Heb. 2:1-3

Why would the writer want us to think in those terms? Do you suppose his intent was that people might think if they sinned there would be chastisment?

[Baron1710]

The discerning reader will notice this inspired statement by the writer of Hebrews:

1: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2: For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Heb. 3:1-3

Why would the writer want us to think in those terms? Do you suppose his intent was that people might think if they sinned there would be chastisment?

Chapter 2 not 3.

[Michael The Disciple]

Chapter 2 not 3.

Thanks for the correction.

[Michael The Disciple]

The answer to the question of this thread is the great majority of Church people do not fear God. His fear has been limited to just "respect". They have been taught that no one can cease from sin and that its just normal to expect you will continue in it till Yeshua comes.

The scriptures detailing chastisment in this life are largely glossed over. The example of Anannias and Saphira being killed over one sin is not taught. People wonder why the Churches are in such bad shape. This may well be reason number one.

[Mrs. LPW]

The answer to the question of this thread is the great majority of Church people do not fear God. His fear has been limited to just "respect". They have been taught that no one can cease from sin and that its just normal to expect you will continue in it till Yeshua comes.

The scriptures detailing chastisment in this life are largely glossed over. The example of Anannias and Saphira being killed over one sin is not taught. People wonder why the Churches are in such bad shape. This may well be reason number one.

No, certainly not popular sermon material in the majority of Christian churches.

I think the Love of God and the Justice of God must be preached equally. Because we're deceiving ourselves and others if we preach only the Love of God but not His Judgement as well. Oprah doesn't have it right... we aren't all gonna float into heaven someday.
Even fewer are going to enter in if we aren't teaching against sin, while teaching on the great Love of our God.

Fear... a good healthy respect and reverence. I Love my Lord and He loves me, (enough to die) but I don't mess around in sin that Grace may abound.

[dizzyde]

Well you seemed like a super-neeto person, so I was surprised at what I thought you meant... and I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion, and I apologize!
You don't need to feel for me though, I have an awesome pastor now, and God had led me on this journey all the way!

Thanks for the kind thoughts

Oh boy, has she got the wool pulled over your eyes!! You better watch that one like a hawk, she will strike when least expected..... :evilglee

:whistle

:whistle


:largehalo

[DividedThigh]

i fear god, i honor, reverence and respect him, and love him deeply, now can i have some wisdom please sir, dt

[Mrs. LPW]

Oh boy, has she got the wool pulled over your eyes!! You better watch that one like a hawk, she will strike when least expected..... :evilglee

:whistle

:whistle

:largehalo

You just nevermind.

[Mrs. LPW]

i fear god, i honor, reverence and respect him, and love him deeply, now can i have some wisdom please sir, dt

:toofunny

I'm waiting for some as well. Get in line!

[Pro31:28]

Oh boy, has she got the wool pulled over your eyes!! You better watch that one like a hawk, she will strike when least expected..... :evilglee

:whistle

:whistle


:largehalo

Gotcha! :aaa