SivartM Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 This is something that has always confused me... We are not supposed to "be afraid of" God, but the Bible says that we are supposed to "fear" God. And I know the whole thing about "fear" meaning "honor" or something, but it doesn't quite make sense to me; we still use "fear" in church-speak. Can anyone help me out? Quote "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde�Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." - Jesus
Administrators Gail Posted January 12, 2010 Administrators Posted January 12, 2010 Great question! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Steve Billiter Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 This is something that has always confused me... We are not supposed to "be afraid of" God, but the Bible says that we are supposed to "fear" God. And I know the whole thing about "fear" meaning "honor" or something, but it doesn't quite make sense to me; we still use "fear" in church-speak. Can anyone help me out? It has more to do with a deep reverence, and awe that we cannot give to any other being but God, having to do with supreme love and He is the only object of our worship and adoration that should also result in obedience to Him because we see His commands are based on real love that desires our best and highest good! Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. H3373 yârê' yaw-ray' From H3372; fearing; morally reverent: - afraid, fear (-ful). Although this same Hebrew word can be used for the feeling of real fear, or afraid of something, here it means reverence. It becomes problematic for God to show us His covenant, if for example we believe the wicked will burn in hell for eternity and we become afraid or distrustful of God, and or we question His justice. Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the guards did shake, and became as dead men. G5401 phobos fob'-os From a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright: - be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror. It appears that this Greek word is used for this kind of fear. And here the prophetess Elisabeth says: Luk 1:50 And His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. (vs. 47 refers to God my Savior) G5399 phobe fob-eh'-o From G5401; to frighten, that is, (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, that is, revere: - be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. Deep awe, and reverence is conveyed here. So here we have another distinction made between the word fear used in the OT and NT. Quote
karl Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 This is something that has always confused me... We are not supposed to "be afraid of" God, but the Bible says that we are supposed to "fear" God. And I know the whole thing about "fear" meaning "honor" or something, but it doesn't quite make sense to me; we still use "fear" in church-speak. Can anyone help me out? How many times does God tell us in His Word to "Fear not?" I think it is something like 63 times. Clearly He is telling us that the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom is different from being afraid. Quote
pnattmbtc Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 If we think God will set us on fire for hours or days at a time if we don't do what He says, will that have an impact on our being afraid of Him? Quote Christ exalted the character of God, attributing to him the praise, and giving to him the credit, of the whole purpose of his own mission on earth,--to set men right through the revelation of God.
teresaq Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 herein, i believe, lies a big part of the problem. if we preach and teach a scary God all the word studies in the world will not change our perception, our fear, of God. (we will also subconsciously treat others as we believe God is!) Quote facebook. /teresa.quintero.790
pnattmbtc Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 Quote: (we will also subconsciously treat others as we believe God is!) You meant by this "We will also subconsciously treat others as we believe God is treating others"? (i.e. "God is" means "God is treating" as opposed to "as we believe God is in character.") If that's what you mean, I agree completely. Those who believe in a God who is primarily authoritarian seem to gravitate towards treating others that way, and liking authoritarian structures of power. Quote Christ exalted the character of God, attributing to him the praise, and giving to him the credit, of the whole purpose of his own mission on earth,--to set men right through the revelation of God.
teresaq Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 i think both is right. (i.e. "God is" means "God is treating" as opposed to "as we believe God is in character.") Quote facebook. /teresa.quintero.790
Robert Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 If we think God will set us on fire for hours or days at a time if we don't do what He says, will that have an impact on our being afraid of Him? Everything I do will be done out of fear. Fear is not love.... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Quote
Stewart (SDA) Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 To me the "fear of God" is an important subject, especially for SDA's as a people. The "fear of God" is an aspect of the First Angel's message, and as such it becomes an indispensable part of the 3 angels's messages as a whole. A little note toward the end of the Great Controversy is important I think, because it effectively explains that if we are not able to give the first angel's message in it's fullness, then we will not be able to give the message of the 3rd angel. "The three messages are but one threefold message. They are three only in the order of their rise. But having risen, they go on together, and are inseparable." (GC 689). Stewart Quote
teresaq Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 perhaps others know what you said here, but i missed it entirely. i cant see any meaning to the words. :) Quote facebook. /teresa.quintero.790
Stewart (SDA) Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 What I tried to say teresaq, is that our work as a people is to give the 3 angel's messages. And so it is important that we understand each one. If we cannot give the first angel's message clearly -- which includes the call to "fear God and give glory to Him, because the hour of His judgment is [present tense] come" -- if we cannot give that message with a certain [i.e. a distinct, definite] sound, then we cannot give the second or third angel's messages. It is not possible to give the 3rd angel's message in isolation; the three go hand in hand. Is that any clearer? or worse? (Just trying to explain why I think it is important to understand the fear of God.) Quote
teresaq Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 so what do you think the "fear of God" is? Quote facebook. /teresa.quintero.790
Woody Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 Yes. That would help a great deal in this discussion. Definition of terms. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted January 13, 2010 Members Posted January 13, 2010 so what do you think the "fear of God" is? I thought it meant a having a healthy respect and honor towards God. ntmomitf Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Stewart (SDA) Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 In a word, I believe the fear of God is reverence for God. (And just as Pam says, healthy respect and honor.) Joseph showed that kind of "fear" when he was faced with the proposition from Potiphar's wife. Jesus Himself effectively presented the principle when He taught His disciples, "hallowed be Thy name". I believe that the fear of God is in marked contrast to the "fear of man". For to stand in awe and reverence of any man brings a snare. (Prov 29:25) Stewart Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.