What does it mean to fear God?

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DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
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#61
Another word for "fear" is "respect". :)
Neither the Hebrew or the Greek translates "fear" to mean "respect"
Those who say fear means respect, are the same people who do not fear God. So because they do not FEAR God, they say and teach fear to mean respect, and that they do.

^i^
 

Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#62
Hebrew Word Study (Transliteration-Pronunciation Etymology & Grammar)
1) fearing, reverent, afraid

—Brown-Driver-Briggs (Old Testament Hebrew-English Lexicon)
From H3372; fearing; morally reverent:—afraid, fear (-ful).
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
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#63
that's what I said....Another word for fear is respect meaning that instead of being afraid of God, you respect Him as the most holy one. God deserves respect but I don't think we need to be afraid of him. Does that make sense?
Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon EVERY soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

You are not excluded, i am not excluded. NOBODY is excluded. EVERY person that knowingly and willingly commits sin, does that which is evil, EVERY person that does evil SHALL suffer Tribulation and anquish, EXACTLY as the Word of God warns us will happen. The SAVED are not excluded from this verse. This should be reason enough to fear God. NOT because He wants to put tribulation and anguish upon you, but because HE HAS to do so, because God does not lie, and if God says "Tribulation and Anguish upon EVERY soul that doeth evil" i assure you Tribulation and Anguish WILL indeed come upon EVERY singly person that knowingly and willingly does that which they know is evil. Fearing Him, should prevent you from doing evil. People do evil because they do not fear Him. Woe to them indeed.

^i^
 

nogard

Senior Member
Aug 21, 2013
331
2
0
#64
seriously people, this isn't rocket science. There is a modern definition of fear, which we all know very well, and, like with many other words, there are archaic definitions, or definitions that no longer apply to this word in modern times but did apply to it at one time.

All you have to do is go to Google, type "define fear" and you will find this archaic definition:

fear v.
archaic
regard (God) with reverence and awe.
[TABLE="class: vk_tbl vk_gy"]
[TR]
[TD="class: lr_dct_nyms_ttl"]synonyms:[/TD]
[TD]stand in awe of, revere, reverence, venerate, respect "all who fear the Lord"

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 

Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#65
Hebrew Word Study (Transliteration-Pronunciation Etymology & Grammar)
1) fearing, reverent, afraid

—Brown-Driver-Briggs (Old Testament Hebrew-English Lexicon)
From H3372; fearing; morally reverent:—afraid, fear (-ful).
the reverence of Yah, an im getting this from an old bible encyclopedia, because I also wondered about this.

Is a righteous fear, not the kind of fear that one has when a burglar is around and there being a fear of something evil but rather a respectful fear knowing His judgements and works are perfect.

The easiest way for me to understand was thinking about the different fear I had when I did something I was not supposed to in front of my fleshly dad as opposed to making a street "thug" angry. In front of my fleshly dad he will correct me in a way that is best for me, a street "thug" will try to "correct my pocketbook" for him.... I can fully explain but that kind of inner feeling difference...

oh and the Most High sits on a THRONE, He created everything.... Imagine standing in front of HIS THRONE.....










reverence?
He sits on a throne that is Higher than any other...
 
J

JesusistheChrist

Guest
#66
Here's what those who exchange the true fear of the Lord for that which is nothing more/less than a precept of men can expect:

Isaiah chapter 29

[9] Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
[10] For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
[11] And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
[12] And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
[13] Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
[14] Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

That sounds like much of the church to me.

Just sayin'...
 

Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#67
Romans 2:9 Tribulationand anguish, upon EVERY soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

You are not excluded, i am not excluded. NOBODY is excluded. EVERY person that knowingly and willingly commits sin, does that which is evil, EVERY person that does evil SHALL suffer Tribulation and anquish, EXACTLY as the Word of God warns us will happen. The SAVED are not excluded from this verse. This should be reason enough to fear God. NOT because He wants to put tribulation and anguish upon you, but because HE HAS to do so, because God does not lie, and if God says "Tribulation and Anguish upon EVERY soul that doeth evil" i assure you Tribulation and Anguish WILL indeed come upon EVERY singly person that knowingly and willingly does that which they know is evil. Fearing Him, should prevent you from doing evil. People do evil because they do not fear Him. Woe to them indeed.

^i^
Be nice to her, she has shown nothing but honest interest in the Most High and has not shown any sign of sin/evil/transgression, has not even spoken anything that I have read that could be taken as mean or deceitful.but asking an honest question.
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#68
I am saying that fear MEANS respect. I looked it up in a dictionary and it said that another word for fear is respect. I think we are saying the same thing just using different words.
This is what i am talking about.

Why would a person read the word fear, then go look it up in the dictionary. Who does not know what the word fear means? But because people do not agree that we are to fear God, they go to the dictionary and look up the word fear.
they disregard much of the definition of the word fear that has anything to do with being scared of, or frighted, or anything like what the word is most commonly used for. but they will find the small part in the definition that states it could also mean respect, or reverence. YEP thats what it means, that fits my belief, THAT is what the word fear means in all those verses which teach to fear the Lord. OH and if the dictionary does not define fear as respect or reverence, then they merely go to another dictionary until they find a dictionary that defines fear to mean what they believe. lol
Children understand what fear is. It is a simple word, but leave it to the generation to completely change the word fear to mean something that it is NOT. And they do that, because there is no fear of God in them. And there is no fear of God in them, because they do not know the Truth.

^i^
 
J

JesusistheChrist

Guest
#69
Just the fact that "fear" is often spoken of with "trembling" ought to resolve this argument...but some people will never choose the fear of the Lord to their own demise.
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#70
I know what you are saying. I'm saying that fear DOES NOT MEAN respect.
The definition of fear in some dictionaries teach that fear could mean respect, or reverence. However it is absolutely True that the verse which teach to fear the Lord, that word FEAR is NOT respect or reverence, but in both Hebrew and Greek translates into "being scared of" NEVER EVER respect or reverence, that is what the last days generation translates the word fear to mean, because there is NO fear of God in them.
a spoiled, rebellious child, DOES NOT FEAR their parents, therefore could not possibly understand any teaching that you should fear your parents. They don't understand because they do not fear them. they are spoiled and rebellious, and get away with everything. They are not punished for nothing at all, they can do whatever they want, whenever they want and do not worry about any consequences for their actions at all. They are no different than those who do not fear God today.

^i^
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#71
I loved my (natural) father very much, BUT I had a very healthy fear of him should I misbehave. I did not like his discipline, no one likes to be disciplined, BTt, especially in retrospect, I NEEDED IT! I tell my kids all the time, if I didn't love you I would care a less if you stayed up til 3:00 playing video games, went out and got high, skipped school etc... We have fatherless neighborhood kids who have this sort of home life. And I can assure you they WISH they had a father they could have a healthy fear of.
As parents we love our children, and because we love them, we punish them when they do wrong. We don't want our children to fear us, But we do want them to fear us when they do wrong, That fear is what keeps them doing right. Tell me, Are we not children of God? Isn't God our Father? If then we do not fear God, we are nothing but spoiled children. Those who fear God are they who have the Truth. Ask any spoiled child, or any rebellious child, and see if they fear their parents? But if you ask a Good child, a child that minds his parents, if they fear their parents, they will tell you they most certainly do.
Likewise, we are children of the Living God. Woe to those who do not fear Him, they do not understand that they are spoiled.

^i^
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#72
Full Definition of Fear
which of the thousands of dictionaries did you choose this Full Definition of Fear from?

transitive verb

1
archaic : frighten

2
archaic : to feel fear in (oneself)

3
: to have a reverential awe of <fear God>

4
: to be afraid of : expect with alarm <fear the worst>
Let me see if i understand. We are talking about the verses which teach to fear the Lord, or to Fear God. And you give us a Full Definition of the word Fear.
point 1, SKIP
point 2, SKIP
point 3, Hightlight in Red and make bigger fonts
point 4, SKIP

My questions are these. If the definition of fear 3 out of 4 teaches SCARED, and the one teaches Awe. What made you choose point 3 to be what the word fear means in the verses in the Bible? Also can you explain why the word fear in the Bible CAN'T mean point 1, or point 2, or even point 4? Is it not true you pick point 3 because it lines up with what you believe to be True, even though points 1,2, and 3 is what EVERYBODY in the world uses the word fear for? Isn't it strange that the only time, i say ONLY time the word fear means awe, respect, or reverence, is when people are discussing the Bible verses which teach to fear God, to fear the Lord.
Another thing that even children could grasp. We are told to fear God, we are commanded to fear the Lord. What then, we are commanded to awe Him, we are commanded to respect Him, we are instructed to reverence Him. Does anybody else see how completely silly that is? anybody? God does not, nor ever will command us, tell us, or instruct us to RESPECT Him, or to be in AWE of Him, nor will God EVER tell us, command us, instruct us to REVERENCE Him. This generation some times makes me laugh out loud with their logic, and they teach this nonsense because they do not fear God.

How are these any different from those who practice homosexual activities all the while changing words in Scriptures to mean something other than what they plainly say and teach? NO difference at all.
This generation do not fear God, therefore change the word fear to mean something that they will agree with.
This generation do not believe homosexual activity is an abomination against God, therefore change all the verses that teach it is evil and interpret those verses to mean something other than what they plainly say.
Yep NO difference at all. Both know not the Truth.
Here is Truth. What the Word of God teach is Truth
What men teach, with their own interpretations is NOT Truth.
^i^
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#73
DiscipleDave
Romans 2:9 Tribulationand anguish, upon EVERY soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

You are not excluded, i am not excluded. NOBODY is excluded. EVERY person that knowingly and willingly commits sin, does that which is evil, EVERY person that does evil SHALL suffer Tribulation and anquish, EXACTLY as the Word of God warns us will happen. The SAVED are not excluded from this verse. This should be reason enough to fear God. NOT because He wants to put tribulation and anguish upon you, but because HE HAS to do so, because God does not lie, and if God says "Tribulation and Anguish upon EVERY soul that doeth evil" i assure you Tribulation and Anguish WILL indeed come upon EVERY singly person that knowingly and willingly does that which they know is evil. Fearing Him, should prevent you from doing evil. People do evil because they do not fear Him. Woe to them indeed.

^i^
Be nice to her, she has shown nothing but honest interest in the Most High and has not shown any sign of sin/evil/transgression, has not even spoken anything that I have read that could be taken as mean or deceitful.but asking an honest question.
Please reread what i wrote above, this time, do not read it as if it is coming from someone who is upset or angry, or being mean. When you reread it this time, try to imagine it was being said in a smooth, calm voice, one full of love, and compassion for those who are reading it. After doing that, maybe you can see, that i was not mean to her at all.

Matters of fact, for the most part, even though i respond to a particular post, it is usually not to the one who posted, but to ALL who will read it. my message is not to any particular poster, but to all who will read the posts, now, tomorrow and next year.

Now if you want to know what i said above and how it came out, imagine this. That everything that i said above, is not to a particular person (the be nice to her, person) but was said to all, as if from a podium. A sermon, from a Preacher. or even from one standing on a corner in a crowded street.
even though i responded to her post, what i said was not to her, but to all.
If she is offended, i am sorry.
you Hizikyah have a good heart, because you are concerned about her feelings. All those who know the Lord, will also have compassion for others. May the Lord Bless you.

^i^
 

nogard

Senior Member
Aug 21, 2013
331
2
0
#74
so it's just a coincidence that the only definition that mentions God specifically is the awe and reverence definition? Why don't you take your 21st century blinders off and realize the Bible wasn't written in a time where there was only one universally accepted definition for fear. It's listed as archaic for a reason, meaning that this used to commonplace but no longer is.
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#75
Just the fact that "fear" is often spoken of with "trembling" ought to resolve this argument...but some people will never choose the fear of the Lord to their own demise.
The sad thing is, you are right in this degree. That it is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of knowledge. The narrow and difficult path that leads to life everlasting, has to be found, because only a few will FIND it. To find it requires the knowledge of the Truth, to gain that knowledge, a person must FIRST fear the Lord. Therefore if they do not fear the Lord, they never acquire that knowledge, without that knowledge, they will never find the narrow and difficult path that leads to life everlasting, and therefore as you put it, to their own demise.

^i^
 

Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#76
DiscipleDave



Please reread what i wrote above, this time, do not read it as if it is coming from someone who is upset or angry, or being mean. When you reread it this time, try to imagine it was being said in a smooth, calm voice, one full of love, and compassion for those who are reading it. After doing that, maybe you can see, that i was not mean to her at all.

Matters of fact, for the most part, even though i respond to a particular post, it is usually not to the one who posted, but to ALL who will read it. my message is not to any particular poster, but to all who will read the posts, now, tomorrow and next year.

Now if you want to know what i said above and how it came out, imagine this. That everything that i said above, is not to a particular person (the be nice to her, person) but was said to all, as if from a podium. A sermon, from a Preacher. or even from one standing on a corner in a crowded street.
even though i responded to her post, what i said was not to her, but to all.
If she is offended, i am sorry.
you Hizikyah have a good heart, because you are concerned about her feelings. All those who know the Lord, will also have compassion for others. May the Lord Bless you.

^i^
I know you are right text does not convery tone and I even got a little ahead of myself, so I apoigize for that, but it was bothersome to me, maybe I am wrong for thinking this, but IDK, but bothresone to me that you would say;

"You are not excluded" "EVERY person that does evil SHALL suffer Tribulation and anquish"

and it is true that those who do evil, but if we look at the text:

"He will reward each one according to his works: to the ones on the one hand, who, by patient persistence in doing righteousness, seek for glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But to the ones on the other hand, who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give indignation and wrath.” Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man who does evil: to the Yahdai(Jew) first, and also to the Greek (Gentile) But glory, honor, and peace to every man who works righteousness: to the Yahdai first, and also to the Greek."

one that person has shown noting ill mannered, and seems to be here honestly seeking, not here playing religion like some people seem to do here, NOT IMPLY YOU AT ALL! you also seem sincere, but I dont know eiter one of you but some in general...

my point is that person may be one who recieves:

"glory, honor, and peace to every man who works righteousness: to the Yahdai first, and also to the Greek."

im nobody and maybe I was arong to speak up but if that person showed different or said different then ok, but it was a view ended with an honest question...
 

nogard

Senior Member
Aug 21, 2013
331
2
0
#77
No one is saying that fear always means respect in Scripture, what we are saying is that fear had two meanings: being afraid, and having respect. If you think fear never meant respect (despite the definition in dictionaries that says it did), how do you explain these verses:

Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.

Jeremiah 32:40
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.

Psalm 22:23
You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

Exodus 18:21
But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Proverbs 14:2
Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

Interesting how the opposite of fearing the Lord is "those who despise him." That would make sense if fear meant respect though.

Proverbs 1:28-33
[SUP]28 [/SUP]“Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
[SUP]29 [/SUP]since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
[SUP]31 [/SUP]they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
[SUP]32 [/SUP]For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
[SUP]33 [/SUP]but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Note how both definitions are used here. It discusses those who choose not to fear the Lord. Then, in the end, he says those who listen to me will live without fear. This would not make any sense if you thought fear is only defined one way.

I'll close with this parting thought:

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
[SUP]2 [/SUP]turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
[SUP]3 [/SUP]indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
[SUP]4 [/SUP]and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
[SUP]5 [/SUP]then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God
 
4

4_GIVEN

Guest
#78
Hi. Thats a great and valid question my friend. Now, go with me to Proverbs 1:7. The Bible says that wisdom begins by fearing God (and so does Prov.9:10). What does this mean? Proverbs 8:13 defines it for us: " The fear of the Lord IS to hate evil....."
 

Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#79
Hi. Thats a great and valid question my friend. Now, go with me to Proverbs 1:7. The Bible says that wisdom begins by fearing God (and so does Prov.9:10). What does this mean? Proverbs 8:13 defines it for us: " The fear of the Lord IS to hate evil....."
Interesting never joined the two! thank you and praise Yah!

Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 8:13, "The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth."
 

DiscipleDave

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
3,095
69
48
#80
I know you are right text does not convery tone and I even got a little ahead of myself, so I apoigize for that, but it was bothersome to me, maybe I am wrong for thinking this, but IDK, but bothresone to me that you would say;

"You are not excluded" "EVERY person that does evil SHALL suffer Tribulation and anquish"
i did not say that. What i said was exactly this.:

You are not excluded, i am not excluded. NOBODY is excluded. EVERY person that knowingly and willingly commits sin, does that which is evil, EVERY person that does evil SHALL suffer Tribulation and anquish, EXACTLY as the Word of God warns us will happen.
Therefore i did not single her out, as you make it seem.

and it is true that those who do evil, but if we look at the text:

"He will reward each one according to his works: to the ones on the one hand, who, by patient persistence in doing righteousness, seek for glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But to the ones on the other hand, who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give indignation and wrath.” Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man who does evil: to the Yahdai(Jew) first, and also to the Greek (Gentile) But glory, honor, and peace to every man who works righteousness: to the Yahdai first, and also to the Greek."

one that person has shown noting ill mannered, and seems to be here honestly seeking, not here playing religion like some people seem to do here, NOT IMPLY YOU AT ALL! you also seem sincere, but I dont know eiter one of you but some in general...

my point is that person may be one who recieves:

"glory, honor, and peace to every man who works righteousness: to the Yahdai first, and also to the Greek."

im nobody and maybe I was arong to speak up but if that person showed different or said different then ok, but it was a view ended with an honest question...
Here is the Truth, those who are righteous, do righteousness
Those who are unrighteous, do unrighteousness.
Honor and Glory and Peace to them that do righteousness
Tribulation and Anguish to them that do unrighteousness
You reap what you sow, whether good or evil.
If you do Good, Blessings
If you do Evil, punishments
Scriptures plainly teach these Truths.

^i^