Biblical Answer

Fear of the Lord is not the same as fear in the sense of being afraid of something. In the Bible, fear of the Lord means to be overwhelmed with wonder before the greatness and the righteousness of God. It is an attitude compounded of a recognition of the greatness and the righteousness of God, and it is an attitude that leads to reverence and obedience. As the Bible says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7). When we keep the Lord's commandments and fear Him, we are able to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The Bible teaches that fearing God is a necessary ingredient in right living. It is an attitude that is necessary for us to have a healthy relationship with God. When we fear God, we are not afraid of anything else, because we know that God is greater than anything else. We are able to face bad news with trust in God, and we are even able to face death with confidence. As the Bible says, "The righteous will even face bad news with trust in God, and even fear of the Lord" (Exod. 20:18-19 with 20:20).

The Bible teaches that fearing God is not a sin. In fact, it is a virtue that is necessary for us to live a life that is pleasing to God. When we fear God, we are able to avoid evil and live a life that is characterized by wisdom, justice, and kindness. As the Bible says, "Through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil" (Prov. 15:33). Fearing God is not a negative emotion that we should try to avoid, but rather a positive attitude that we should cultivate in our lives. When we fear God, we are able to live a life that is characterized by love, joy, and peace. As the Bible says, "Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Ps. 34:9).