Fear can be good and bad. Fear is harmful when used to manipulate people. Unfounded or overblown fears keep folks from experiencing life. But fear is good when it keeps us from harmful actions. Fear of fire reduces the risk of being burned. Fear of running out of money guides our financial decisions.
There are many proverbs and verses in the Bible about fear. Today we’re looking at one of those. “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27, CSB)
I want you to notice something. Fear of the Lord does not shrink our world; it expands it. Jesus said, “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10, CSB) Through that fear, we find an abundance of life.
The fear of the Lord takes many forms. For the sinner, it is a reminder of God’s wrath. For the blood bought, it is a governor on their actions. For the preacher and teacher, it ensures an accurate proclamation of God’s Word. But when there is no fear, none of these happen.
It’s easy to blunt the fear of the Lord with easy grace. If God didn’t want me to do something, He’ll stop me – some say. I’ve done this a bunch of times, and lightning hasn’t struck me yet – others joke. The Bible says, “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” (Galatians 6:7–8, CSB) God will let us go our own way, or we can choose to go God’s way.
For Christians, the fear of the Lord is joy. Our fear is not that God will turn His back on us. Our fear is born of a desire to please and glorify Him because of His love for us. We want to honor our Lord and Savior. For us, the fear of the Lord does not cause anxiety but rest, peace, and life. “For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden,” (1 John 5:3, CSB) (Also, Matthew 11:28-30).
Walking in this joyful fear requires honest prayer and reflection. Are we rationalizing our choices, or are we seeking whether they truly honor God? Are others using fear to manipulate us into actions that dishonor God? Do we welcome God’s command or do we see them as a burden? “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27, CSB)
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