Fear of God – The Big “Duh” of Faith
Jul 02 2008
In pop-culture spirituality, the fear of God is not a popular topic. Some people go as far to say that fear of God is an outdated concept, others just ignore it all together. I have read a couple articles as of late talking about how Scripture’s command to fear God is misunderstood. I really don’t think the fear of God is a complicated concept at all, nor do I think it needs much explanation. If there is a God, why wouldn’t we be fearful of Him? It just seems like common sense. More so, it is a necessary step toward enlightenment and true spiritual freedom.
First of all, let me just address the common sense part. If you put me in a cage with a lion, I don’t care how “tame” or “friendly” you tell me the lion is, I am going to treat it with great care and respect. Only an idiot would walk up to a lion and smack it in the face just to test how “tame” it is. Why not apply this understanding to the Creator of the Universe, hmm? If I am going to say I believe in a God, it doesn’t matter how loving or merciful He is, He is still God.
Beyond the common sense, there is a mystical application to the fear of God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Prov. 1:7) The fear of God provides a cornerstone on which to awaken our spiritual perception. If God is in His place in our hearts and minds, then the secrets of Creation can become clear. When man places himself where God should be, the world becomes obscure and confusing.
Finally, what motivated me to write this was a recent statement made by Pope Benedict XVI: “[Modern life] is born of a sense of emptiness, associated with a certain culture that is permeated with widespread theoretical and practical nihilism… Fear of God, which Scripture defines as ‘the beginning of true hope,’ means to have faith in Him. Those who fear God are serene even amidst the storms.” – Pope Benedict XVI
When a man has a healthy realized fear of God in his heart, the cares of this world diminish and he fears nothing from man. The paradox of the fear of God is that it frees us from the fear of man. The God fearing man is free to live according to his convictions because in his heart he stands alone before Lord of All.
Without the fear of God, we as individuals are doomed to live according to the social pressures and fads of the world around us. Does fear of God mean I live everyday terrified that God will strike me down? No, because after I fear the Lord, I learn what a merciful and loving God He is. However, I cannot know the friendship of the Great Lion until I first approach Him with the proper trepidation and respect. After all, God is God and I am not God… duh!
“Is he safe?”
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver… “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
- From The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
FEAR’s, the one you’re talking about, is also paired with the original
meaning of AWFUL (in the old english – FULL of AWE).
There’s a great NEW book on THE JESUS PRAYER!
The Orthodox world – and beyond – is acquainted
with the justly famous and righteous Elder Joseph the Hesychast,
who reposed on the Holy Mountain in 1959. Less known outside Russia is
Archbishop Golinsky-Michaelovsky, who was another
committed practioner and teacher of The Jesus Prayer.
The English Language Editor was Fr. Ambrose (Young) and the
Publisher was The Skete of the Entrance of the
Theotokos into the Temple in Haysville, Ohio.
GO HERE for a preview!