Fear is known to be a negative emotion. However, there’s one type of fear that is encouraged in the Bible and that is, “the fear of the LORD.” The problem is that not a lot of people now fear God. So, why should we fear Him? Here are 3 compelling reasons!
The concept of fearing Yahweh, or the Fear of the LORD, is often misunderstood.
To many, “fear” conjures images of trembling and dread.
But when the Bible speaks of fearing God, it’s not talking about being terrified of Him.
Instead, it’s about having a deep sense of awe, respect, and reverence for the Creator of the universe.
It’s recognizing His authority, His power, and His love.
But why exactly should we fear Him?
Let’s dive deeper into three key reasons.
1. The Fear of Yahweh Leads to Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
In a world overflowing with information, true wisdom is rare.
We live in an age where knowledge is at our fingertips—degrees, certifications, and access to all the facts we could ever want.
Yet, we often lack the wisdom to apply this knowledge meaningfully.
Why is that?
Because true wisdom begins with a deep respect for God.
You can hold every academic title, master every subject, and be the most educated person in the room, but without the Fear of Yahweh, all that knowledge is incomplete.
Wisdom isn’t about knowing facts; it’s about knowing how to live well, how to make decisions that honor God, and how to align your life with His will.
And that starts with acknowledging who God truly is.
Think about it—why is our world so advanced in knowledge but still plagued with crime, corruption, and brokenness?
We have so much information, yet we’re still struggling with the basics of how to live together in harmony.
The answer lies in the absence of godly fear.
Even among believers, many don’t live with a daily awareness of God’s majesty and judgment.
Without this foundation, wisdom remains out of reach.
2. The Fear of Yahweh Protects Us from Other Fears
Let’s be honest—life is full of things that scare us.
We fear rejection, failure, financial instability, and even natural disasters.
But here’s the incredible truth: when you fear Yahweh, you no longer have to live in fear of anything else.
Isaiah 8:13 says, “The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
This doesn’t mean we walk around terrified, but rather that we deeply respect and revere God above all else.
When we fear Yahweh, the opinions of people lose their grip on us.
We stop worrying about pleasing others because our only concern is pleasing God.
The fear of losing a job, failing in school, or facing harsh criticism fades when we realize that the only opinion that truly matters is God’s.
Psalm 27:1 reminds us, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
When God is your foundation, even death itself loses its sting.
Imagine that—being so grounded in your reverence for God that nothing in this world can shake you.
That’s the freedom that comes from fearing Yahweh.
When we replace worldly fears with the Fear of the LORD, we gain an unshakable confidence that God is fighting our battles.
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3. The Fear of Yahweh Leads to Obedience
Fearing God isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it has to show up in our actions.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD…?”
True fear of God leads to obedience.
It’s easy to follow God when we understand His plans or when it benefits us.
But real obedience, the kind that stems from godly fear, happens when we follow Him even when it’s hard, even when we don’t understand, even when it hurts.
Take the story of Abraham.
In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.
Abraham didn’t know why, and he didn’t have any assurances that things would turn out okay.
But what did he do?
He obeyed.
He trusted God even when it made no sense.
And in the end, God stopped him and said, “Now I know that you fear God” (Genesis 22:12).
Abraham’s obedience was the evidence of his fear of Yahweh.
And that’s the same for us.
When we truly fear God, we obey Him—not out of dread of punishment, but because we trust that His ways are good, and we love Him enough to submit, even when it’s inconvenient.
The Final Word: Fear God and Keep His Commandments
The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, after experiencing everything the world had to offer, concluded his search for meaning with these powerful words: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
At the end of the day, everything boils down to this: fear Yahweh. When you fear Him, you gain wisdom. When you fear Him, you are protected from lesser fears.
And when you fear Him, you walk in obedience, knowing that His ways are always for our ultimate good.
So, let’s strive to develop a healthy fear of Yahweh—a fear that honors Him, guides our decisions, and draws us closer to Him.
In doing so, we’ll experience the fullness of life that comes from living under the loving authority of our Heavenly Father.
