"Can you fear God too much?" In response to this question one might first need to clarify the meaning of the word "fear". People can have fear by: 1. being afraid of, (fear an assault) 2. expecting something with alarm, (fear an economic collapse) or 3. having a reverential awe of something - (fear God). Each of these definitions can have religious significance: 1. We would be wise to be afraid of God. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." 2. God's wrath, as evidenced in both the Old and New Testaments, is something to be feared. The One who spoke the earth into existence also has the power to speak its destruction. 3. And we must feel awe for the One with such power and glory: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Psalms 111:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". Some might say "Since God is such a loving God, I need not fear him". But if we understand God's power and majesty, and our own relative position to Him, how can we not fear? Man's significance is miniscule in the big scheme of things. The fact that God loves us just amplifies the magnificence of God. So, can we have "too much" fear of God? I suppose that if we are so afraid of God that it results in an inability to act, then God will not be pleased. We have a duty to do his will. I believe that a reverential awe of God is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:23 says: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." We cannot have too much love, joy, peace.....etc. We also cannot have too much reverence for our God.
I think that maybe you could. The fear that we have isn't supposed to be the scary kind of fear, it's supposed to be the fear that knowing HE is the Almighty and it is HIS will that is done whether we like it or not. Sometimes God's greatest gifts are the prayers that go unanswered. I think that there are tons of people out there who have the "boogy man fear" of God. Because He knows EVERYTHING. I believe, knowing at one point in my life someone who didn't want to believe that God exists, that they are scared of what HE will do to them come judgement day.
Or maybe so much that you can't have an actual relationship with Him because you are fear Him too much. For example, you are too afraid to love Him. I dunno. Just a thought. That's an interesting question and I don't know how you could back up an answer aside from people's stories/experiences. Maybe it is making sure people understand what fearing Him means...
Ecclesiastes 12:13 & 14. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work unto judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil. So, I think the answer is no you cannot fear God too much!
I agree with others. It depends on what definition of fear you are speaking about. If you are "afraid" then you can go to the extreme of not following Him in the correct manner because you are afraid of the punishment if you do wrong. Which really doesn't make sense. But, I think if fear as in revere, there can't be too much.
"Can you fear God too much?"
ReplyDeleteIn response to this question one might first need to clarify the meaning of the word "fear".
People can have fear by:
1. being afraid of, (fear an assault)
2. expecting something with alarm, (fear an economic collapse) or
3. having a reverential awe of something - (fear God).
Each of these definitions can have religious significance:
1. We would be wise to be afraid of God. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
2. God's wrath, as evidenced in both the Old and New Testaments, is something to be feared. The One who spoke the earth into existence also has the power to speak its destruction.
3. And we must feel awe for the One with such power and glory: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Psalms 111:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".
Some might say "Since God is such a loving God, I need not fear him". But if we understand God's power and majesty, and our own relative position to Him, how can we not fear? Man's significance is miniscule in the big scheme of things. The fact that God loves us just amplifies the magnificence of God.
So, can we have "too much" fear of God? I suppose that if we are so afraid of God that it results in an inability to act, then God will not be pleased. We have a duty to do his will.
I believe that a reverential awe of God is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:23 says: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." We cannot have too much love, joy, peace.....etc. We also cannot have too much reverence for our God.
I think that maybe you could. The fear that we have isn't supposed to be the scary kind of fear, it's supposed to be the fear that knowing HE is the Almighty and it is HIS will that is done whether we like it or not. Sometimes God's greatest gifts are the prayers that go unanswered. I think that there are tons of people out there who have the "boogy man fear" of God. Because He knows EVERYTHING. I believe, knowing at one point in my life someone who didn't want to believe that God exists, that they are scared of what HE will do to them come judgement day.
ReplyDeleteSeems like thee would be an obvious answer...maybe to the point when you're so paranoid of your actions you end up hiding yourself from the world?
ReplyDeleteOr maybe so much that you can't have an actual relationship with Him because you are fear Him too much. For example, you are too afraid to love Him. I dunno. Just a thought. That's an interesting question and I don't know how you could back up an answer aside from people's stories/experiences. Maybe it is making sure people understand what fearing Him means...
ReplyDeleteEcclesiastes 12:13 & 14. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work unto judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil. So, I think the answer is no you cannot fear God too much!
ReplyDeleteI agree with others. It depends on what definition of fear you are speaking about. If you are "afraid" then you can go to the extreme of not following Him in the correct manner because you are afraid of the punishment if you do wrong. Which really doesn't make sense. But, I think if fear as in revere, there can't be too much.
ReplyDeleteI thank you all for your responses. I will be preaching on this topic this coming Sunday night.
ReplyDelete