The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life

by John Paul Bevere

On the other hand, constructive fears produce beneficial wisdom. The fear of falling two thousand feet off a cliff gives us the wisdom not to step too close to the edge, where we might slip. The fear of a grizzly bear’s power gives us the wisdom not to threaten the mother bear’s cubs. The fear of a third-degree burn gives us the wisdom to put protective mitts on our hands when removing a pan from a hot oven.

We are human, and we will fear. The awe and fear of God is way deeper, more beautiful, and more intimate than many dare imagine. The fear of God swallows up all destructive fears. The fear of God is the beginning of everything good.

“The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.”

This path is uncommon because, sadly, many believe, as King Solomon did in his dark hours, that their own

I buffet my body . . . and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]. (1 Corinthians 9:27 AMPC)

Embracing godly fear as our most prized treasure empowers us to remain under submission to truth, and in so doing, it keeps us on the path of life, which brings remarkable rewards.

“Lord, have I hurt Your church? Have I taught something untrue? Am I putting Your people in bondage?”

However, the person who fears God has nothing to hide. He or she is terrified of being away from God.

“Don’t be afraid. God has come to test you and instill a deep and reverent awe within you so that you won’t sin.” (Exodus 20:20 MSG)

The situations we are in are not punishments, but gifts so that we may perservere and grow.

Holy fear is not to be scared of God and thereby withdraw from Him. It is to be terrified of being away from Him.

When we fear God, we take on His heart. We love what He loves, and we hate what He hates.

let what I read not merely be informational, but may the words transform my life into the image of my Lord Jesus Christ. I ask this all in Jesus’ name, amen.

We will only find God’s manifest presence in an atmosphere where He’s held with the utmost respect.

Here is the bottom-line truth: where the Lord is reverenced, His presence manifests.

Point: The fear of the Lord changes atmospheres. It cultivates an environment for the Holy Spirit’s power to change our lives and the lives of others.

These massive beings are not singing a lovely song to make God feel good about Himself; rather, they are responding to what they see! Fresh new facets of His unsearchable greatness are continuously being revealed, and all they can do is cry out, “Holy, holy, holy . .

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Imagine this light shining in my heart. Why would I ever think about or ever want to hide anything from Him? It’s impossible.

In Christ, I am the light of the world, reflecting His glory to all whom I encounter.

We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.

Considering the great value Jesus has placed on my life, how do I now view myself? How does this affect how I view and treat those I encounter daily?

I will love and value others in the same way God loves and values me.

It is wise never to permit under any circumstances an irreverent, casual, or familiar attitude toward God.

I will live my life knowing God is fully aware of my intentions, thoughts, words, and actions.

The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.

Third, He emphatically states that hypocrisy cannot stay hidden. It’s certain that the intent behind one’s words or actions will eventually be exposed. His next statement reveals what protects from impure motives:

The fear of the Lord keeps us in touch with our heart motives, which is critically important, for the lack thereof leaves us vulnerable to the deception of hypocrisy.

If we succumb to the pressure of comparison, we highlight our shortcomings and in turn will self-promote or self-protect, and it all begins in our motives and intentions. In today’s world our perceived image carries greater weight than our actual image.

I will allow the double-edged sword of God’s Word to expose the thoughts and intentions of my heart.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. (1 Corinthians 3:12–13)

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap”

“It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you” (GNT).

You will serve whom you fear. If you fear God, you’ll obey God. If you fear man, you’ll ultimately obey man’s desires.

Dear heavenly Father, I ask You to forgive me for the times I’ve sought the approval of others rather than Your approval. Jesus,

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way (path) which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14 NKJV)

“I loved Jesus, but I didn’t fear God.”

My dear friends, you have always obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. Keep on working to complete your salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12 NCV)

I will love people, for God loves people. I will hate the sin that unmakes the people I love.

Oh how he spoke to me

Son, Lucifer led worship right before My throne, he led the entire hosts of heaven as he was ordained and anointed to do so. He was close to Me, beheld My glory, but didn’t fear Me; therefore, he didn’t endure before My throne forever. (Ezekiel 28:13–17)

If you don’t delight in the fact that your Father is holy, holy, holy, then you are spiritually dead. You may be in a church. You may go to a Christian school. But if there is no delight in your soul for the holiness of God, you don’t know God. You don’t love God. You’re out of touch with God. You’re asleep to his character.

If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. (1 John 2:4)

Since I’m a citizen of the United States of America, I could say I have a “relationship” with the president. I am under his governing authority and am affected by the decisions he makes, as are 332 million other American citizens. But even though I have this relationship with the president, to this day I’ve not been granted a private audience with one. Simply put, I’ve not been in the presence of or interacted with any of our US presidents.

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. (Psalm 25:14 NKJV)

My beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12 NKJV)

We are accountable for our own faith. we arent to judge the walk of others.

But what about when a trusted team member lies about you and you’re fired from your position? Will you forgive according to His Word or retaliate to get even?

God will never tell me to do anything that is detrimental. Whatever He says will always end up best.

They also don’t base their obedience to God’s Word on how other believers behave; they simply obey.

when we tremble at His Word, we obey God immediately.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. (Proverbs 28:26)