THE FEAR OF THE LORD
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:11
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:11
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
Supporting Texts: Proverbs 9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Proverbs 14:26-27; Psalm 111:10; Hebrews 12:28-29; 1 Peter 1:15-17; Acts 9:31
Description: The fear of the Lord is reverential awe, holy respect, and submission to God that produces obedience, wisdom, holiness, faithful service, and a serious concern for the eternal destiny of others.
INTRODUCTION
Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:11 reveal an important motivation for Christian ministry: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” Having spoken about the certainty of appearing before the Judgment Seat of Christ, Paul understood that every person is accountable to God. This awareness produced seriousness in his ministry and urgency in his desire to lead people to Christ.
The fear of the Lord is not the same as being terrified of God as though He were an evil or unpredictable ruler. Biblical fear means reverence, awe, honour, submission, and a deep awareness of God's holiness and authority. It causes us to take God seriously, hate what He hates, obey His Word, and desire to live in a manner that pleases Him.
A generation that loses the fear of God can easily lose its moral direction. When people no longer recognise that God sees, knows, and will judge every life, sin becomes casual and holiness becomes optional. But when the fear of the Lord returns to the heart, wisdom, purity, humility, obedience, and spiritual responsibility are restored.
1. THE FEAR OF THE LORD BEGINS WITH RECOGNISING WHO GOD IS
We cannot truly fear God until we understand something of His greatness, holiness, authority, and majesty. Reverence grows when our vision of God becomes greater.
a. God Is Holy (Isaiah 6:3) — God's absolute holiness should produce reverence and humility in everyone who approaches Him.
b. God Is Almighty (Jeremiah 32:17) — Nothing is too difficult for God, and His power demands our reverence.
c. God Is the Righteous Judge (Psalm 7:11) — God's judgment is perfectly righteous, and no injustice escapes His notice.
d. God Deserves Our Honour (Malachi 1:6) — As Father and Master, God deserves reverence from those who belong to Him.
Biblical Example: Isaiah encountered the holiness of God and immediately recognised his own unworthiness (Isaiah 6:1-5).
2. THE FEAR OF THE LORD PRODUCES WISDOM
The fear of God gives a person the right foundation for understanding life. True wisdom begins when we acknowledge God's authority.
a. The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) — Human knowledge without reverence for God cannot produce true spiritual wisdom.
b. The Fear of the Lord Produces Understanding (Psalm 111:10) — Those who obey God gain understanding concerning how to live.
c. The Fear of the Lord Helps Us Avoid Folly (Proverbs 14:16) — Reverence for God makes us cautious about choices that can lead to destruction.
d. The Fear of the Lord Directs Our Decisions (Proverbs 3:7) — We should not trust our own wisdom above God's revealed will.
Biblical Example: Joseph demonstrated wisdom by recognising that committing adultery would be a sin against God, even when he appeared to have an opportunity to hide it (Genesis 39:7-9).
3. THE FEAR OF THE LORD LEADS US AWAY FROM SIN
A genuine fear of God affects our behaviour. When we know that God sees and judges our actions, we become more determined to reject sin.
a. Hate Evil (Proverbs 8:13) — The fear of the Lord involves rejecting pride, arrogance, evil conduct, and corrupt speech.
b. Resist Temptation (Genesis 39:9) — Joseph refused temptation because he feared offending God.
c. Keep Yourself Pure (1 Peter 1:15-17) — God's holiness calls believers to holy conduct in every area of life.
d. Depart From Evil (Proverbs 16:6) — The fear of the Lord helps us turn away from sinful paths.
Biblical Example: Job was described as a man who feared God and avoided evil, showing that reverence for God produces practical holiness (Job 1:1).
4. THE FEAR OF THE LORD PRODUCES OBEDIENCE
Reverence that never produces obedience is incomplete. If we truly honour God, we will take His commandments seriously.
a. Obey God's Word (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) — The fear of the Lord is connected with walking in His ways and keeping His commandments.
b. Obey Even When No One Is Watching (Proverbs 5:21) — God sees every path we take, including what is hidden from people.
c. Submit to God's Authority (James 4:7) — Reverence for God requires humble submission to His will.
d. Continue in Obedience (John 14:15) — Love for Christ is demonstrated by keeping His commandments.
Biblical Example: Noah obeyed God's instructions concerning the ark despite the absence of visible evidence of the coming flood (Hebrews 11:7).
5. THE FEAR OF THE LORD REMINDS US OF JUDGMENT
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 connects the fear of the Lord with accountability before Christ. We should live knowing that our earthly actions have eternal consequences.
a. Everyone Will Give Account (Romans 14:12) — Every person is personally accountable to God.
b. God Will Judge Every Work (Ecclesiastes 12:14) — Nothing is permanently hidden from God's judgment.
c. Our Motives Matter (1 Corinthians 4:5) — God will reveal the hidden counsels of the heart.
d. Live With Eternity in View (2 Corinthians 5:10) — The certainty of standing before Christ should influence how we live today.
Biblical Example: Paul served Christ with urgency because he knew that believers would appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9-11).
6. THE FEAR OF THE LORD GIVES COURAGE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
Paul says, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” A proper understanding of eternity should produce evangelistic urgency.
a. Warn People About Eternity (Ezekiel 33:7-8) — God's servants have a responsibility to faithfully communicate His warning.
b. Persuade People to Turn to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11) — The fear of God should make us concerned about the eternal destiny of others.
c. Preach the Gospel Faithfully (2 Timothy 4:2) — God's message must be proclaimed whether it is convenient or inconvenient.
d. Rescue People From Destruction (Jude 22-23) — Believers should compassionately reach those who are in spiritual danger.
Biblical Example: Paul reasoned with people concerning righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come (Acts 24:24-25).
7. THE FEAR OF THE LORD PRODUCES HUMILITY AND FAITHFUL SERVICE
When we truly recognise God's greatness, we stop treating ministry as a platform for personal glory and begin to see it as a sacred stewardship.
a. Serve God With Reverence (Hebrews 12:28) — We should serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
b. Avoid Pride (Proverbs 16:18) — The fear of God reminds us that every gift and opportunity comes from Him.
c. Be Faithful in Your Assignment (1 Corinthians 4:2) — God requires faithfulness from those entrusted with His work.
d. Give God the Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) — Our service must ultimately point people to God rather than ourselves.
Biblical Example: The early church walked in the fear of the Lord and experienced spiritual growth and multiplication (Acts 9:31).
8. THE FEAR OF THE LORD BRINGS BLESSING AND SECURITY
The fear of God does not make life miserable. It produces spiritual stability, confidence, protection, and blessing.
a. The Fear of the Lord Gives Confidence (Proverbs 14:26) — Those who fear God have strong confidence because their trust is in Him.
b. The Fear of the Lord Is a Fountain of Life (Proverbs 14:27) — Reverence for God helps protect a person from destructive paths.
c. The Fear of the Lord Produces God's Favour (Psalm 103:11-13) — God's mercy is extended towards those who reverence Him.
d. The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life (Proverbs 19:23) — Reverence for God brings spiritual security and contentment.
Biblical Example: Cornelius feared God, lived righteously, and demonstrated practical devotion, and God responded to his seeking heart (Acts 10:1-4).
CONCLUSION
The fear of the Lord is not an outdated concept; it is essential to healthy Christian living. It gives us wisdom, keeps us from sin, produces obedience, humbles our hearts, strengthens our service, and reminds us that we will ultimately give account to God. When we truly fear the Lord, we will not treat sin casually or eternity lightly.
Let us recover a holy reverence for God in our homes, churches, ministries, workplaces, and private lives. Like Paul, let the awareness of divine judgment produce urgency in our witness and seriousness in our walk. Fear God, honour His Word, reject evil, serve Him faithfully, and live every day with eternity in view.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, put a genuine fear and reverence for You deep within my heart, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, give me wisdom to make decisions that honour and please You, in Jesus name.
3. Father, deliver me from every form of sin and compromise, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, give me grace to obey Your Word even when nobody is watching, in Jesus name.
5. Father, help me to live with the awareness that I will give account before You, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, remove every form of pride and self-glory from my heart and service, in Jesus name.
7. Father, make me a faithful witness who will boldly persuade people to come to Christ, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, let the fear of God govern my words, choices, relationships, and conduct, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let my life demonstrate holiness, wisdom, humility, and obedience to You, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, help me to fear You faithfully until the end and finish my race well, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall walk in the fear of the Lord and grow continually in wisdom.
2. You shall receive grace to hate evil and reject every form of compromise.
3. You shall walk in obedience to God's Word.
4. You shall not be destroyed by the fear of people or the pressure of the world.
5. Your heart shall remain humble before the Lord.
6. You shall serve God faithfully and bring glory to His name.
7. You shall receive courage to preach Christ and reach souls for the kingdom.
8. The fear of the Lord shall preserve you from destructive decisions and sinful paths.
9. You shall live with eternity in view and finish your race faithfully.
10. You shall stand before Christ with confidence and receive His commendation.
