Bible 101: "Fear of God"

"It's like those miserable Psalms...they're so depressing!" - God from Monty Python & The Holy Grail

I remember having a conversation 8 or 9 years ago, and we were discussing what it meant to have the fear of God. She said something along the lines of , “I like fearing God! I never know when He is going to smite me or not!”

And I, being of quick tongue and wit, said “yeah, I’m gonna need you to never say that again.” Why did I say that? Because she obviously thought she knew what it meant, without really understanding. It could’ve led some people down a very weird and dark path.

Here’s the deal: this is one of those Christianese terms that people don’t talk about. I can’t think of a single church service I have ever been to where the pastor brings this up.

Is it negligence? Absolutely not. I think the “fear of God” is one of those things that everyone assumes that everyone just knows. Well, guess what? People don’t know, and if you were not raised Christian or raised near Christians, you were probably incredibly concerned when you heard someone say that they had a “healthy fear of the Lord.”

Seems like an oxymoron.

So, let’s learn the lingo:

God from Monty Python & The Holy Grail

For those who practice Islam, “fearing God” roughly translates as being conscious of God and truth. In the practices of Baha’i, they believe that if they don’t become pure or sanctified, they can easily become weapons and the fear of God (don’t even get me started on this). Both are interesting sentiments…

However, for Christians, ours goes a different route.

So, here are three original words to help you understand:

phobos

In Greek, this word means to feel dread or terror, so adding that in with God…well, you can piece it together. It’s used frequently to talk about being scared out of your mind, and most of the time is used in this capacity. Something that isn’t explained well in our Christian world is that it’s important to understand this fear without actually fearing God Himself.

Let me explain: if you are scared of something or someone you are suppose to love, that isn’t really love, is it? Think of abusive relationships or toxic friendships…if any of them lead you to fear, it isn’t worth it. As the Good Book says in 1 John (if you didn’t say that with the voice of Tevye in your head, please stop reading and go watch Fiddler on the Roof), there is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear. If you keep reading in 1 John 4, it goes onto say that because perfect love casts out fear, any fear leftover has to do with punishment, and the punishment is not from God but from ourselves.

It’s important to understand what God is capable of, yes, but it’s vital to to know that you are not capable of anything God is capable of. In a strange and backwards way, if you fear God in a real “Here’s Johnny” kind of a way, you fear God because you can’t control what He will do. You fear God because you don’t stand a fighting chance.

What “phobos” is trying to convey is that when you view God as an opponent instead of an ally, you are punishing yourself. That fear will drive you mad because fear and love cannot co-exist in the same relationship.

CliffNotes: know God is capable of snapping His fingers and ending everything, but chooses not to because there is no fear in His love and He loves you, despite all the crap you do.

“There is no fear (phobos) of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18

eulabeia

This Greek word is used only twice and means to have a godly fear or veneration. This word, in its entirety, is meant to translate as respect. To respect God is to understand God’s heart, and to understand God’s heart is to know God.

This word differs from “phobos” because it highlights a deep admiration. Think of it this way: I am fully aware that my large Maine Coon, Charles, could rip me to shreds if he wanted to. However, I respect him and admire him for loving me instead of choosing violence (even when I won’t give him a treat).

A watered down example, but it’s the same idea. Fearing God doesn’t mean having to carry a second pair of pants in case you have an accident because of how scared you are. Fearing God means knowing that you don’t need that second pair of pants, even when sometimes you think it may do you some good.

CliffNotes: respect God and what He is capable of, but more importantly respect God for all that He has done for you in your life.

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his reverence (eulabeia).” Hebrews 5:7

and finally, drumroll please…

yir’a

In Hebrew, "yir’a” is the root of what the Greek words try so hard to convey. It means to be revered. It means to be respected. It means to have devotion. It means an awesome or terrifying thing.

A funny point was brought up to me last night that I feel I should address. “Yir’a” means awesome, which is great, but don’t get it confused with California surfer dudes attempting to describe some “sick waves.” It is meant to be used with weight. The word is meant to describe something that wouldn’t literally make you go “aw” or “wow,” but instead something so astonishing that it cannot be described. The root of the word, awe, is meant to describe terror, but not Haunted Mansion terror. Terror isn’t fear, but something that can, and will, inspire it. Something being described as awesome means that it is meant to be an inspiration…

It’s miraculous. It’s astonishing. It’s breathtaking.

To have the fear of God is to be astonished by God.

To respect God so highly that it cannot be formed into words.

“Serve the Lord with fear (yir’a) and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11

“Who is the man who fears (yir’a) the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.” Psalm 25:12

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Not so scary, right? Just respect God for what He has done and what He will do, and you can tell your Baptist grandma that you have a “healthy fear of the Lord.”

Go read with confidence. Thanks for being here.