Biblical Answer

What Does the Bible Say About Fear?

The Bible teaches that fear of the Lord is a necessary ingredient in right living. It is an attitude compounded of a recognition of the greatness and the righteousness of God on the one hand, and a trust in Him on the other. To fear the Lord means to be overwhelmed with wonder before the greatness of God, and to be controlled by a sense of awe and reverence. This kind of fear is not about being scared or frightened, but about having a deep respect and reverence for God's power and majesty.

The Bible teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7), and that it is the whole duty of man to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccles. 12:13). This fear is not just about avoiding evil, but about having a deep trust in God's goodness and provision. The Bible says that those who fear God lack nothing (Ps. 34:9), and that they will even face bad news with trust in God (Eccl. 5:7). This fear is a response of our entire being, and it is a necessary ingredient in right living.

The Bible teaches that we should not fear God in a way that is contrary to our trust in Him. We should not fear God in a way that is driven by a sense of fear or dread, but rather in a way that is driven by a sense of awe and reverence. We should fear God in a way that is consistent with our trust in Him, and that is reflected in our obedience to His commandments. As the Bible says, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccles. 12:13). This is the kind of fear that we should cultivate in our lives, and that we should encourage others to cultivate in theirs.