Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of fearing God in daily life? Grasping Ecclesiastes 7:18 “It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.” Solomon ties wisdom to a daily, practical fear of God—a reverent awe that steadies us between extremes and keeps us anchored to His ways. What “fear of God” looks like • Deep respect for God’s holiness and authority • Readiness to obey His commands without delay • Hatred of evil because it offends Him • Humble awareness that every thought, word, and deed is lived before His face Old-Testament voices calling us to fear God each day • Deuteronomy 10:12-13—“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God… and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?” • Psalm 34:11—“Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” • Psalm 111:10—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have a good understanding.” • Proverbs 1:7—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” • Proverbs 8:13—“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.” • Proverbs 14:26-27—“He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence… The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” • Proverbs 16:6—“By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man turns away from evil.” • Isaiah 33:6—“He will be the sure foundation for your times… the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” • Malachi 3:16—“Those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them.” • Ecclesiastes 12:13—“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.” New-Testament echoes for everyday living • Acts 9:31—“Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, [the church] increased in numbers.” • 2 Corinthians 7:1—“Let us cleanse ourselves… perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” • Ephesians 5:21—“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” • Philippians 2:12—“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” • Hebrews 12:28—“Since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom… worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” • 1 Peter 1:17—“Conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.” • Revelation 14:7—“Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.” Why fearing God reshapes daily choices • Guardrail against sin—It “turns a man from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27). • Fountain of wisdom—It is “the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). • Source of security—“He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence” (Proverbs 14:26). • Motivation for obedience—“Let us cleanse ourselves… perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). • Catalyst for community health—Early believers “walked in the fear of the Lord… and grew” (Acts 9:31). Living it out today • Start the morning acknowledging God’s holiness and sovereignty. • Let Scripture shape decisions—ask, “Does this honor the Lord I revere?” • Reject sin quickly; hatred of evil flows from fear of God (Proverbs 8:13). • Serve others humbly, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). • Keep eternity in view—“Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7). Takeaway The consistent testimony of Scripture—from Moses to Solomon, from the Prophets to the Apostles—calls believers to weave a holy fear of God into the fabric of ordinary life. Embracing that reverent awe guards the heart, guides the mind, and brings the delight of walking closely with the Lord each day. |
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