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CHALLENGES IN LIVING
TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY
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Growing in
the Healthy Fear of the Lord
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by Tom
Caballes
The fear
of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom; all those who
practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
- Psalms
111:10 ESV
Many Christians do not understand what it means to
fear of the Lord. They think it only means we all
should tremble on our knees because of what God
can do with us. Although this is partially true,
it does not give us a full picture of what it
means to fear the Lord. A healthy fear of the Lord
is great for us as His disciples. First, it means
we are to be awed by His glory and majesty. Our
first response to the fear of God is to worship
Him. Second, our God is a loving and caring God.
Our fear of God should enable us to obey His
commandments and walk in His ways, knowing that
God’s ways are for our own good. A healthy fear of
the Lord keeps us on our toes and makes us
vigilant in our daily walk with God. It keeps us
aware of the consequences of disobedience to God.
So How Do You Grow in
the Healthy Fear of the Lord?
- See
the glory and majesty of God in all
things – when you see the beauty of
creation; for God’s providence; for His
faithfulness, forgiveness, mercy and
grace. Have an attitude of gratitude
with God!
- Serve
Him with gladness. [Psalm 100:2] The
King you serve is not just any King – He
is the he Alpha and the Omega, the first
and the last, the beginning and the end.
[Rev 22:13.] He is a one of a kind King.
So when you praise and worship Him or
serve Him in other means, know just how
awesome is your God.
- Love
His laws. For this is the love of God,
that we keep his commandments. And his
commandments are not burdensome. [1 John
5:3 ESV] God’s laws are made for our own
good. We need to read God’s word,
understand them and apply them into our
lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to change our
rebellious hearts so we can love His
laws.
- Try
to live a righteous life and repent of
all your sins. Have a daily examination
of conscience. What sin or temptation is
deeply ingrained into your life? How do
you avoid them?
- Accept
the discipline of the Lord. Know that He
disciplines us for our own good. Our
fear of the Lord should allow God to
work in areas in our lives that we have
difficulty with or we are powerless
with.
- Do
not play with the devil. Do not give you
enemy a chance [Ephesians 4:27]. Never
give in to the thought – “just this
once;” as in, just one fling with this
woman [or man]. ‘Just once’ has led many
people to troubles and difficulties that
they try to undo the rest of their
lives. And some things are undoable,
especially when they break the bonds of
marriages, families and relationships.
So say no to ‘just once.’
Other Scripture passages:
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Therefore let us be grateful for
receiving a kingdom that cannot be
shaken, and thus let us offer to God
acceptable worship, with reverence
and awe, for our God is a consuming
fire. [Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV]
- Teach me your way … that
I may walk in your truth; unite
my heart to fear your name.
[Psalms 86:11]
- For we must
all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ,
so that each one may
receive what is due for
what he has done in the
body, whether good or
evil. Therefore, knowing
the fear of the Lord, we
persuade others… [2
Corinthians 5:10-11 ESV]
- The
reward for humility
and fear of the LORD
is riches and honour
and life. [Proverbs
22:4 ESV]
- Other
references: Romans
1:18-32; 2
Corinthians
5:10-11; and
Hebrews 12:6-7.
For
personal reflection or
group sharing
- Do
I have the right and
balanced fear of the Lord?
- In
what area of my life am I
being tempted to consider
‘just once?’ Has it got to
do with money, possessions,
a person of the opposite
sex, or something else?
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Tom
Caballes is the
National Senior
Administrator and a
National Coordinator
of the Lamb
of God, a
community of the
Sword of the Spirit
with 7 branches
located throughout
New Zealand. Tom
also leads Kairos
New
Zealand, an
outreach program for
high school,
university, and
post-university aged
people.
Tom and
his wife Mhel and
their two
daughters live in
Wellington, New
Zealand.
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