Necessary Fear

- April 21, 2026

God is often presented solely by most as a source of “Love and Care”, but this ignores His holiness, power, and authority. True “Fear of the Lord” isn’t a paralyzing dread; it is a deep, reverential respect that leads to wisdom and obedience. This is birthed out of Love. His love for us – and our Love response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. So that we don’t seek to crucify Christ afresh on the cross – just as a child respects a guardian’s discipline, a believer’s love for God is proven through their actions and their refusal to live in habitual sin.

We often paint God in shades of “All-Loving”, but we may lose the weight of His “God-ness.” People shy away from the parts of God that judge or destroy, yet, He is all of these things. Holiness isn’t just a denominational label; it is a requirement for anyone seeking fellowship with Him. (Remember this passage – Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord…”). When we treat “Fear of the Lord” as just a churchy definition, we forget that sin creates a real barrier—a “hiding of His face”—that stops Him from hearing us. (See Isaiah 59:1-2; James 1:5; Gal 6:7) Remember – God IS Love- and it was His love that made a way to escape punishment for the IT (aka Sin). Scripture says – 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NO SWITCHES! Oh – let me tell you about the switch…)

The Lesson of the Switch

I remember the fear of punishment from my grandmother (back when I was 4-10 years old. Four was a LONG year for me. LOL. Grandmother didn’t play. When I did “It,” whatever IT was, I knew exactly what was coming: the trip outside to pick a switch and the “torture” that followed. Because I knew the consequence, I had a reason to think twice. That did not always stop me. Sometimes I chose the IT – despite the consequences. (That is not a good idea when it comes to God. Knowing His word, means we Know the penalty of sin is greater than we may be willing to bare. Not just separation from God – but eternity in Hell. See Romans 6:23)

If we truly love and revere God, why do we still choose to sin? Loving God is directly tied to keeping His commands. You can’t claim to abide in Christ while choosing to stay in “iniquity”—those sins we actively practice while knowing better. God is full of grace, but His patience does have a limit, and the repercussions of sin remain separation and death. There is good reason God calls HIS people both sheep and goats. HIS sheep know His voice (His Word). The Goats – choose their own path – despite asking Jesus into their hearts. (Read that again…)

Here are some worthy things to Remember according to scripture –

This “Fear” is tTaught. Psalm 34:11: “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
This “Fear” helps keep us from Death – Proverbs 14:27: “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”
This “Fear” is our duty (responsibility) – Ecclesiastes 12:13: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
This “Fear” is the beginning of Wisdom – Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.”
This “Fear” is something we should Live with Daily – Acts 9:31 – “Then the church… was strengthened; and living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”
This Reverential “Fear” helps us to Perfect Holiness (so Holiness is not just for Pentecostals – also see Heb. 12:14) – 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God”.

Hebrews 4:1 says – “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” In short – don’t fall short of the promise of God because you did not believe the word of God and chose to keep sinning so grace might be needed. And finally, Romans 6:1-2 says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”