What Is the ‘Fear of the Lord’?

If we are not careful, it can be easy to misrepresent God. So often we hear people proclaim that God is a God of anger and wrath, a God who demands that we fear Him. While God does absolutely and ultimately demand that all will eventually honor and reverence Him, we need to be able to grasp what He requires of humanity now. The Bible, if carefully understood, supplies these answers. By examining what “fear of the Lord” looks like first in the Old Testament and then in the New, we can receive a clear picture of what He demands. What does this picture show us? It reveals His power, His authority and His overwhelming benevolence. The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding the fear of the Lord. The Hebrew words for fear carry both negative and positive meanings ranging from terror to deep reverence. Israel’s experience was often physical and immediate, while Christians today apply these principles spiritually. This distinction helps us to appreciate why “fear” in Scripture can sometimes sound intimidating yet ultimately points toward a relationship grounded in respect and devotion. Reverence for God brings blessing. Passages from Psalms and Proverbs show that fearing the Lord leads to confidence, instruction, protection and even joy. For example, Proverbs describes the fear of the Lord as “a fountain of life,” offering refuge and strength. This kind of fear is not about shrinking back, but about recognizing God’s greatness and drawing closer to Him because of it. Reverence for God brings guidance. A deeply personal example of this is Rick’s experience of how reverence for God sustained him through the trauma of his daughter’s assault. He describes relying on prayer and scriptural principles when he didn’t know what to do, illustrating how reverence can anchor believers during life’s most overwhelming moments. The New Testament verifies that reverence remains essential for Christians. While the Greek word phobéō can mean fright, it also carries the meaning of awe and respect. The apostles encourage believers to perfect holiness in the fear of God, to honor all people and to avoid any ungodly spirit of cowardice. The picture is clear: ‘Fearing the Lord’ means placing Him in His rightful position—above all things—and allowing that reverence to shape our confidence, choices and character.  Key Takeaways The ‘fear of the Lord’ in Scripture primarily means reverence, awe and deep respect, not terror. Old Testament examples show that reverence brings instruction, protection, confidence and blessing. True ‘fear’ of God draws us toward Him, not away from Him. The New Testament continues this theme, urging Christians to perfect holiness in reverence. God has not given Christians a spirit of fearfulness or cowardice. Reverence becomes especially powerful during personal trials, grounding us in God’s presence and guidance.