“Fear God”: What It Means

“Fear God”: What It Means

A Sermon for the Misunderstood Heart of Reverence

“Fear God.”
We hear it from pulpits, see it on signs, and read it throughout the Bible.
But if we’re being honest… it sounds a little scary.
And many people especially those new to faith get the wrong idea.

They think God wants us to live in terror, afraid of His every move.
They imagine a God who’s always angry, always watching, always waiting to punish.

But is that what “Fear God” really means?

No.
It’s time to clear this up.

What Does the Bible Actually Say?

The phrase “fear of the Lord” appears over 300 times in Scripture.
Here are a few examples:

• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” – Proverbs 9:10

• “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13

• “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” – Philippians 2:12

At first glance, it sounds like God is telling us to be afraid.
But the original languages Hebrew and Greek tell a deeper story.

The True Meaning of “Fear”

In Hebrew (Old Testament), the word is yirah or yare’:

• It can mean fear in the sense of dread.

• But it also means awe, reverence, wonder, deep respect for something overwhelmingly holy.
  

In Greek (New Testament), the word is phobos:

• Again, yes, it can mean fear.

• But when used about God, it more often means a holy awareness, a trembling before greatness.
  

Think About It Like This:

Imagine standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Or watching a storm roll in over the ocean.
Or looking up at a night sky so vast it humbles you.

Your heart beats a little faster not because you're in danger, but because you're in the presence of something magnificent.
That’s what the fear of God is like.

It’s not about being scared.
It’s about being moved to humility, to obedience, to love.

What “Fear of God” Really Means

To fear God means:

• To hold Him in reverent awe.

• To take His presence seriously, not casually.

• To walk humbly, knowing He is holy, and we are not.

• To honor Him not with terror, but with deep love and respect.

It’s the kind of “fear” a child might have for a loving father not because he’s abusive, but because the child respects his strength and doesn’t want to disappoint him.

Why This Matters Today

Too many people have left the Church because they were taught to be afraid of God.

They were taught that God is angry by default, that He’s quick to punish, and slow to forgive.

But Scripture tells us otherwise:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” – Psalm 103:8
“Perfect love casts out fear.” – 1 John 4:18

The fear of the Lord doesn’t drive us away.
It draws us closer—into reverence, into transformation, into peace.

Closing Thought:

If you've misunderstood “fear God” as a call to panic,
let this be a call back to truth.

God is holy and God is love.
And when we stand in awe of Him, we’re not crushed.
We’re raised.