Is It Wrong To Be Afraid of God?

[BreeGab14]

Hi, this is something I have been struggling with for a long time. I love God, but I'm afraid of him as well. I'm scared that if I do something wrong, I'll be punished for it. Or something bad happens to make a point. I know He is a loving God, but also just. And I think that's what makes me scared. Is this wrong? Is God mad at me for this?

 

[Nicee]

Actually the fear of God isn't because he is a big bad God who will punish anyone who do bad or break his rules, but actually it's for us. It's like a Mother telling her daughter do not do this, and if u do I will spank you. The reason why the mother would say that is because she doesn't want her daughter to do something that will hurt her now or in the future. So if the child is afraid that her mom will spank her if she does something wrong she wouldn't do it. Yet again, she might actually do it because she is curious or just want to be disobedient. Her mom would later find out what she did and she might be mad at her, but at the same time she loves her, but she will still discipline her because she doesn't want her to do it again. So in God's case, he discipline us because he loves us and want to be close to us, but The Devil wants us to do whatever we want even though it's something that is very bad or will affect us in the future, and when he made us do it, he will then try to accuse us to God for doing the bad things he made us do. It's very complicated. The Devil is a complicated guy. Hope I help.
Proverbs 12:1 ESV / 117 helpful votes Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 323 helpful votes
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

 

[MidniteWelder]

Actually the fear of God isn't because he is a big bad God who will punish anyone who do bad or break his rules, but actually

Ummm actually...it is.
Don't be deceived and therefore deceive others, let me show you what Jesus own words were regarding fear him and why.
We should not have to try and pinken it up with fluffiness to make it comfortable for all ears that itch.
Not everybody can accept Gods word in true fullness. Its just the way it is

Luke 12
. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

 

[Nicee]

n

Ummm actually...it is.
Don't be deceived and therefore deceive others, let me show you what Jesus own words were regarding fear him and why.
Don't pinken it up with fluffiness

Luke 12
. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

If u say so.... im too tired to even
rebuttal that. I hope we help Ms.BreeGab14. Everyone has their opinions. That what I like about forums.

 

[MidniteWelder]

God disciplines those he loves.
Its a truth we must all come to grips with
We should be wise enough to realize when this is happening.
And it is a direct result of our actions...
When it happens...the best thing one can do is wisen up,
humble yourself and ask God to teach you what lesson it is he wants you to be learning right then and to keep in your heart from that day forward to never be forgotten so one does not have to disciplined over and over again for the same thing
like a dog who returns to eat its own vomit
Vomit is yucky especially ones own

 

[JesusLives]

Perfect love casts out all fear. God is Love and God loves you why? Because He sent His Son Jesus to die for any and every sin you have committed in the past, present and future. If God was a punisher, vindictive God we would already be dead. But while we were yet sinners Jesus came and died for us. Not because we were all cleaned up and good.

Give your heart to God ask Him to come into your life and dwell in you. Holy Spirit will give you repentance and help in cleaning out the sins in your life. God no longer looks at the sin or bad things you have done but instead sees the perfect life His Son Jesus had and Jesus righteousness covers you. You can rest assured that you are saved and loved by God. Just let Him into your heart today.

 

[MidniteWelder]

We may be exempt from hell as a true believer in Christ,
although why should we feel so exalted as to think we are exempt from Gods discipline.

 

[Revelator7]

Hi, this is something I have been struggling with for a long time. I love God, but I'm afraid of him as well. I'm scared that if I do something wrong, I'll be punished for it. Or something bad happens to make a point. I know He is a loving God, but also just. And I think that's what makes me scared. Is this wrong? Is God mad at me for this?

According to the Bible the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and to shun evil is understanding. The Bible also says that the fear of the Lord is pure, in other words it is clean. Another place in the Bible it says to work out your salvation with trembling and fear. From what you wrote here I commend you for your heart and your thoughts. We should all feel that if we sin, the chastisment/discipline of God awaits us. A good father will discipline the children he loves. The Bible says that if a parent spares the rod of punishment for his child that he hates his child. You may feel confused but you're actually not. You understand at an emotional level that God is one to be revered. That is good. The Bible says that Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is clean therefore it keeps us clean. The Bible talks about the goodness and severity of God. God in many ways is like a paradox. He loves us but he is also a jealous God. God doesn't change, he is the same today as he was yesterday. The Bible says that we shouldn't fear because fear invovled torment/punishment. If you're made perfect in God's love, meaning if you love God with all your heart mind soul and strength and if you love your neightbor as yourself, then you should not be scared at all. The fear of the Lord is a paradox. You fear him in the sense that if you walk away from righteousness and open the door to the lust of the world, and since you do not know when the Lord will call your name (when you physically die) because tomorrow is not is not promised, you should should always do according to the obedience of God's commandment to love. And you don't have to be afraid of him at the same time because if you are operating in the spirit of God's love, then you know you are blameless and holy and righteous. When we are doing good we have confidence because our faith is working with our actions. And when that is happening we know that God is pleased with us. The Bible says that without faith God cannot be pleased with us. God is slow to anger though. If you make a mistake you have a just advocate named Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ gives you boldness to approach the throne of grace. Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy. Be a merciful and forgiving person to the measure that Christ forgave you, and you will always have favor with God, even if you hit some snags along the way. God isn't looking down at you and he is not waiting for you to make a mistake. I would have you listen to Relient K's Let It All Out. The lyrics say:

"

And today I will trust you with the confidence
Of a man who's never known defeat
But tomorrow, upon hearing what I did
I will stare at you in disbelief
Oh, inconsistent me
Crying out for consistency"

​

If you really fear God, you will become the most humble and contrite person to walk the earth. And you will be kept from making big mistakes in your life. And know that God's love for you is infinite. Rest in the paradox.

 

[tourist]

Ummm actually...it is.
Don't be deceived and therefore deceive others, let me show you what Jesus own words were regarding fear him and why.
We should not have to try and pinken it up with fluffiness to make it comfortable for all ears that itch.
Not everybody can accept Gods word in true fullness. Its just the way it is

Luke 12
. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Love the use of color in your post.

 

[Jamal]

Hi, this is something I have been struggling with for a long time. I love God, but I'm afraid of him as well. I'm scared that if I do something wrong, I'll be punished for it. Or something bad happens to make a point. I know He is a loving God, but also just. And I think that's what makes me scared. Is this wrong? Is God mad at me for this?

I don't think anyone can be a Christian without a fear of God.

"Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Jesus

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." - Paul

"Those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation." - Luke

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." - David

You should be scared. "The LORD is a jealous and vengeful God." - Nahum. Jesus said if you betray him, "it would be better that you were never born."

 

[psychomom]

Perfect love casts out all fear. God is Love and God loves you why? Because He sent His Son Jesus to die for any and every sin you have committed in the past, present and future. If God was a punisher, vindictive God we would already be dead. But while we were yet sinners Jesus came and died for us. Not because we were all cleaned up and good.

Give your heart to God ask Him to come into your life and dwell in you. Holy Spirit will give you repentance and help in cleaning out the sins in your life. God no longer looks at the sin or bad things you have done but instead sees the perfect life His Son Jesus had and Jesus righteousness covers you. You can rest assured that you are saved and loved by God. Just let Him into your heart today.

so glad you said that!

 

[Jamal]

Ummm actually...it is.
Don't be deceived and therefore deceive others, let me show you what Jesus own words were regarding fear him and why.
We should not have to try and pinken it up with fluffiness to make it comfortable for all ears that itch.
Not everybody can accept Gods word in true fullness. Its just the way it is

Luke 12
. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

That's right. Lots of people want to water down lots of the Bible. They like to quote that perfect love drives out fear. That's great for those of us with perfect love. Lots of people want to lower the meaning of perfection.

 

[damombomb]

I would say it is pretty good thing.You have a conscience.

 

[Blain]

That's right. Lots of people want to water down lots of the Bible. They like to quote that perfect love drives out fear. That's great for those of us with perfect love. Lots of people want to lower the meaning of perfection.

People didnt fear Jesus they came to him from miles on foot just to see him, they respected him which is another translation of fear. Personally I am not afraid of my father I adore him, I repect him and I am in awe of his power and majesty but to be afraid of him?

 

[Word_Swordsman]

A saying of the Lord plows through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, that when God comes by He will most likely say to you "Fear Not". The last thing God wants is for you to be afraid of Him.
I once knew how many times He said that, but here's a few:
Genesis 15:1 (KJV) [SUP]1 [/SUP] After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

[HR][/HR] Luke 12:32 (KJV) [SUP]32 [/SUP] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

[HR][/HR] Revelation 1:17 (KJV) [SUP]17 [/SUP] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:


Do a search through the Bible to learn of His amazing grace available to us through faith in Christ. Jesus offers great peace, not conflict.

My advice is to meditate on the wealth of teachings throughout the scriptures, letting God develop in you a mind focused on righteousness-thinking instead of sin-consciousness. You've placed your hope and trust in Him, He has already dealt with your sin, so get on with doing His works by the power of God, led by the Holy Spirit, without apology for that attitude. Along the way when you miss the mark let God discipline you His way. Done by His fantastic love for you there will be no regrets if you submit to His kind chastisements, coupled with rewards for obedience all through life with Christ. Study the scriptures.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

I let that stand a few minutes to follow up with this. I don't know where folks here are in knowledge of scriptures, so I can only type what I feel is a good direction for most folks. Romans 14 might seem advanced because it is near the end of a magnificent book, but that chapter is one good for Christians at all "ages" of understanding, and helps us each deal with people of diverse denominations to be civil with each other, not doing what so many did before us, disputing to the point of creating yet another denomination.

The setting is the issue of whether to go ahead and eat, or drink, or observe holy days and the like when witnesses are around who are strong in the faith as well as those weak in the faith or have no like beliefs at all, each mutually capable of being offended by the other. At the close of it is a startling verse which I will post here hoping upon hope you will read the whole chapter 14. Without the whole of it you will not get this verse rightly understood or applied in life, but you will be presented it often out of context.
Romans 14:23 (KJV) [SUP]23 [/SUP] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.


It makes being afraid of God after knowing Him, who commands believers to not be afraid, to be sin. No Christian should be terrified over this, but take action to stop doing it, then fully enjoy the Kingdom privileges. We can base that on this from the continued sermon in chapter 15 with Romans 15:4 (KJV) [SUP]4 [/SUP] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.


It is Satan and or demons taking advantage of bad teaching that causes us to doubt and hide from God because we messed up. Adam and Eve did that, but God called them out of hiding and loved them more than they could possibly understand. Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you has conditions (in context), but applies here. Chapter 15 encourages you to be strong in the faith so you can encourage others who are weaker. You should not be strong in the faith just to be strong, but to help others enjoy the Kingdom of our Lord and God. When we focus on such things, thoughts of fear melt away. Just mentally dealing with that won't do much good for you or others. Face to face interact with someone needing your encouragement. That will empower you to replace fears with ministry, doing the good works that prove the reality of faith in you.

 

[Revelator7]

it is not wrong to be afraid of God

 

[Brainfreeze]

We may be exempt from hell as a true believer in Christ,
although why should we feel so exalted as to think we are exempt from Gods discipline.

I assure you we're not, God will discipline you, I don't care how big and bad anyone can think they are, God can make one fold like a paper bag. His Son was humiliated on a cross for hours, He can and will put you through some very real situations, for you to grow from. He loves us and will never give you anything you can't handle.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

The end of this is far away it seems, as I must add this. There was one class of people to whom Jesus would not say "fear not", and that was the self-righteous Pharisees who hated his words and deeds. Stern words were what they heard when Jesus directly spoke to them, words that likely chilled their blood. But for His friends, those seeking truth, there is another "fear" required of us. That is awe-filled reverence and adoration for our Creator and Lord and Savior. That fear will make us welcome to come right up to his throne with confidence as His beloved children. Compare that to an earthly parent from whose presence their children flee to hide in closets. That is perverse. No, a parent ought to have children jumping into their arms, knowing they are accepted and loved. So it is that the Greek word phobeo was used two ways: 1- meaning terrified, fearful and 2- awe and reverence. The second is desired by God for His children. The first is for unbelievers. Now maybe this is better understood:
Revelation 21:8 (KJV) [SUP]8 [/SUP] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Obviously that doesn't include those rightly applying godly phobeo fear due the great King of kings, their Lord Jesus.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

I assure you we're not, God will discipline you, I don't care how big and bad anyone can think they are, God can make one fold like a paper bag. His Son was humiliated on a cross for hours, He can and will put you through some very real situations, for you to grow from. He loves us and will never give you anything you can't handle.

Love it! I'm a big guy and know what it is like to fold up like that. But, in His hands there is no terror for me.