What is the Fear of the Lord, Really?

Have you heard someone say, “To fear the Lord means to revere or worship the Lord”? Do you know where this teaching comes from? And are you sure it’s true?

This is a big deal because there are many “fear of the Lord” scriptures. Are we allowed to replace the word “fear” with the word “worship”? Isn’t that like changing the Bible?

Fear and worship are different things. I fear sharks, but I don’t worship them. If I’m paddling my kayak and I get a bump from some deep, dark thing, worship is usually not the first reaction that comes to mind.

Sure, I respect sharks and I am in awe of these magnificent creatures, but it’s a terrified kind of respect. I prefer to respect them from far away.

Which is exactly how some people feel about God.

“God is terrifying and awesome and I’d prefer it if he stayed waaaay over there.”

It was Moses who commanded the children of Israel to “fear the Lord your God and serve him only” (Deut. 6:13). I imagine they didn’t take much convincing. They had seen Mt Sinai ablaze with the glory of God.

“Don’t touch that mountain. You’ll die if you do.”

The men who wrote the Old Testament often portrayed God as scary and untouchable. But do you know how many times Jesus said, “Fear the Lord”? Not once. He was more likely to tell people not to fear God.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

(Sidebar: Matthew 10:28 is the exception that proves the rule, as I explain here.)

So which is it? Are we supposed to “fear the Lord,” as Moses said, or “be not afraid,” as Jesus said? It’s the second one, obviously. Your heavenly Father does not want you to fear him.

Pro tip: If you ever have to choose between obeying Moses or Jesus, choose Jesus.

You may have heard people say, “to fear the Lord is to worship him.” Do you know who said this first? It was Jesus.

In the wilderness, Jesus quoted – or rather, he reinterpreted – the words of Moses (Matt. 4:10):

Moses wrote: “You shall fear only the Lord your God…”
Jesus: It is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God…”

Jesus put a new covenant spin on an old law which means you can too. Any time you read a “fear the Lord” scripture, you have permission to replace the word “fear” with “worship” or “revere”.

Let’s look at some examples:

• “You who fear the Lord, praise him” (Psa. 22:23) can be read as, “You who revere the Lord, praise him.” Which makes sense, because why would you praise someone you’re afraid of?
• “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord” (Psa. 40:3). This can be read as “Praises to God pour out from within me. Many will stand in awe of the Lord and put their trust in him.”
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psa. 111:10) can be read as “Honoring the Lord is the first step to wisdom.

Sin teaches us to fear God (see Gen. 3:10), but your Father wants you to know how much he loves you. He does not want you to be afraid of him. There is no fear in love.

If you fear God, ask him to reveal his love for you. When you know how much he loves you, you will never fear him.

Indeed, you won’t be afraid of anything.

Except maybe sharks.

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