Sprit of Fear for the Lord

Spirit of Fear for the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (NIV)

            Many people are encompassed by fear from what they hear and/or read in the news on a daily basis. The threats of wars, economic collapses, violence in the streets, and job insecurity are just a few of the concerns that can make one experience anxiety over the unknown. But God never gives a person a spirit of fear with regards to the fear of the flesh. He gave us the Holy Spirit who gives us a fear for the Lord. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV) The fear of the Lord means having a reverence for God and honoring Him through our obedience. The Holy Spirit helps the believer to have the desire to fear God and give Him glory for He is our Lord, Creator, and Provider. Our reverence for Him also allows Him to take care of all of our needs. Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

There are many within the body of Christ who have become compromised; therefore, they have a lack of reverence for God and the things of God. To tell them that they are to live sanctified lives sounds like foolishness to their ears. Holiness has been replaced with a worldly urge to be thoroughly entertained. Instead of having a desire to please God, the emphasis has been placed on what can I get from God instead of what I can do for God. The fear of the Lord has been minimized or completely reduced and replaced with works, seed offerings, and the traditions of men. Yet, the Spirit awaits those who claim to be in the body of Christ, but are nothing more than prosthetic limbs, to become the actual body of Christ and to submit completely to the will of God instead of being in a lukewarm state. Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NIV)   

            God desires for His people to have a fear for Him by worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth, which can only be done by the leading of the Holy Spirit. John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. (NIV) When the believer fully submits to the leading of the Holy Spirit, he/she will be able to honor God with their whole heart, soul and mind. The desire for God is a hunger that will never leave them because it will be as fire that is forever burning, which is the fire of the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 20:9 But I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (NIV) The desire to please and honor God will be of great importance to the believer who is sold out for Him. It will not matter what others say or do, as long as God is getting the glory.

            We are to continuously honor God with our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the way that we should go. Lip service is not enough, but life service is what God requires. Every believer has to evaluate themselves to see if the Spirit of fear for the Lord resides inside them in order to be found worthy in the end. Lamentations 3:4 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. (NIV)