Topical Encyclopedia Godly fear, often synonymous with reverence and awe towards God, is a profound respect that influences one's actions and decisions. This fear is not about being afraid of God in a negative sense but is a recognition of His holiness, justice, and power, leading to a life that seeks to honor Him. One of the primary manifestations of godly fear is the conscious decision to depart from evil.Biblical Foundation The Bible frequently associates the fear of the Lord with wisdom and the rejection of evil. Proverbs 3:7 instructs, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil." This verse highlights the connection between fearing God and actively choosing to avoid sin. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 9:10, and this wisdom naturally leads to a life that shuns evil. Examples of Godly Fear Leading to Departing from Evil 1. Job: Job is a quintessential example of a man who feared God and turned away from evil. In Job 1:1 , it is written, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil." Job's life was marked by integrity and righteousness, driven by his reverence for God. 2. Joseph: Joseph's fear of God is evident in his refusal to sin with Potiphar's wife. In Genesis 39:9 , Joseph declares, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" His fear of the Lord and respect for God's commandments empowered him to resist temptation and maintain his integrity. 3. Daniel: Daniel and his companions exhibited godly fear by refusing to defile themselves with the king's food and wine. Daniel 1:8 states, "But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine." Their decision to adhere to God's laws, despite the potential consequences, demonstrated their reverence for God and commitment to righteousness. The Role of Godly Fear in the Believer's Life Godly fear serves as a guiding principle for believers, encouraging them to live lives that reflect God's holiness. It acts as a deterrent against sin, prompting individuals to evaluate their actions in light of God's standards. Proverbs 16:6 affirms, "By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil." The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of godly fear. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 , Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." This passage underscores the transformative power of godly fear in the pursuit of holiness and purity. Practical Implications For the believer, cultivating godly fear involves a continual awareness of God's presence and a commitment to align one's life with His will. It requires a heart that is sensitive to sin and eager to repent and seek forgiveness. The fear of the Lord motivates believers to pursue righteousness, justice, and mercy, reflecting God's character in their daily lives. In summary, godly fear is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, compelling believers to depart from evil and live in a manner that honors God. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, it is evident that godly fear is integral to a life of obedience and devotion to the Lord. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity Hebrews xii. 28, 29 Paul's Desire to Depart The Former Subject of the Sedition Continued; Also of Fasting... Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ... This Reasoning and Intelligent Creature, Man, at once the Work and ... The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred. Description of the Perfect Man, or Gnostic. Resources Is it true that fear is a liar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear not / do not fear? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about fear? | GotQuestions.org Fear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fear of God: A Motive of Obedience Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: David Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Job, According to the Testimony of Satan Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Jonah, During the Storm Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Noah, in Preparing the Ark Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: The Jews, in Obeying the Voice of the Lord Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: The Women at the Grave Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Adam and Eve Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Demons Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Judas Fear of God: Guilty Fear: The Guards at Jesus' Tomb Fear of God: Hezekiah, in his Treatment of the Prophet Micah, Who Prophesied Harm Against Jerusalem Fear of God: Jacob, in the Vision of the Ladder, and the Covenant of God Fear of God: Obadiah, in Sheltering One-Hundred Prophets Against the Wrath of Jezebel Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague Fear of God: The Egyptians, at the Time of the Plague of Thunder and Hail and Fire Fear of God: The Midwives of Egypt, in Refusing to Take the Lives of the Hebrew Children Fear of God: The Nine and One-Half Tribes of Israel West of the Jordan River Godly Fear: A Characteristic of Saints Godly Fear: A Fountain of Life Godly Fear: A Treasure to Saints Godly Fear: Filial and Reverential Godly Fear: God is the Author of Godly Fear: God is the Object of Godly Fear: Motives to Judgments of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Forgiveness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Goodness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Greatness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Holiness of God Godly Fear: Motives to Wondrous Works of God Godly Fear: Necessary to Avoiding of Sin Godly Fear: Necessary to Impartial Administration of Justice Godly Fear: Necessary to Perfecting Holiness Godly Fear: Necessary to Righteous Government Godly Fear: Necessary to The Service of God Godly Fear: Necessary to The Worship of God Godly Fear: Searching the Scriptures Gives the Understanding of Godly Fear: should Accompany the Joy of Saints Godly Fear: should be Constantly Maintained Godly Fear: should be Exhibited in Giving a Reason for Our Hope Godly Fear: should be Exhibited in Our Callings Godly Fear: should be Prayed For Godly Fear: should be Taught to Others Godly Fear: The Wicked Destitute of Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Accepted of God Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Blessed Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Pitied by God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Afford Pleasure to God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Confide in God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Converse Together of Holy Things Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Days of, Prolonged Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Depart from Evil Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Desires of, Fulfilled by God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Receive Mercy from God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: should not Fear Man Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Future Punishment Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Idols Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Judgments Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Man Unholy Fear is Described as Consuming Unholy Fear is Described as Overwhelming Unholy Fear: A Characteristic of the Wicked Unholy Fear: A Guilty Conscience Leads To Unholy Fear: Adonijah's Guests Unholy Fear: Exhortations Against Unholy Fear: Saints Delivered From Unholy Fear: Saints Sometimes Tempted To Unholy Fear: Seizes the Wicked Unholy Fear: Shall be Realised Unholy Fear: Surprises the Hypocrite Unholy Fear: The Wicked Judicially Filled With Unholy Fear: Trust in God, a Preservative From Related Terms |
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