Am I misunderstanding the meaning?

Question

Often times we as christians are told to let God and Jesus into our lives, our hearts, and our minds. Yet at the same time, being so devoted we are referred to as God-fearing individuals? Doesn't this almost seem contradictory?

Answer 1

Not at all. When I was growing up, I loved my dad greatly. But I also had a healthy respect, even fear of what might happen if I disappointed him, or if I deliberately disobeyed him.

If I did something shameful, the look of disappointment on my Dad's face was intolerable to me. I wanted so much to make up for what I did. But nothing happened unless I took responsibility to help restore that which was broken between us.

Further, if I disobeyed willfully, I knew that I was going to be punished, and that often involved pain. I hated that! Nevertheless, I ended up learning some painful lessons.

Did any of that diminish my love for my dad? Not at all. In fact, if my dad let me get by with something, I would wonder if the relationship was damaged in some way.

And as imperfect as my dad was, I think he did a pretty decent job of raising me. And God, who is the perfect Father, never acts out of anger or rage when I blow it. But, I also know that what was good for my dad, is also good for God.

As it is written: "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes every son he accepts...How if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not his sons." (Hebrews 12:6, 8)

Answer 2

No it is not contradictory. The God that Jesus talks aobut in the New Testament is a "loving and caring 'daddy' (Abba) ". But this is the same God that, in the Old Testament told his people to wipe out everything that was alive (among His enemies) and to sow the ground with salt so that nothing would grow there for a hundred years. And what about Sodom and Gamorrah, when He told Lot not to look back or you will be turned into a pillar of salt...and his wife did, and she was! How about the great flood?

If you lead your life the way that Christ tells you to, then you will be able to approach God like a loving and caring "daddy". But think back to your own childhood, and remember what it was like when you disobeyed your own father.

God does not change, the changing is up to us...and we are right to fear Him, for He is a vengeful God...if you don't obey His laws.

Answer 3

I think God-fearing comes from the Old Testament where there was lots of smiting and floods and stuff. After Jesus came along God relaxed a whole bunch, call it evolution of the religion perhaps. Historically Gods have been pretty brutal, at least the Western ones, then Jesus came along and it's all let's all love one-another, and all that hippy stuff. It's a curious contradiction of sorts, isn't it. Makes you think on the whole bible being taken literally thing--perhaps the Bible was written by men as representitive of his perception of the Word of God. And perhaps Man is dynamic, and so too his definition of God.

Answer 4

I get your point. but I think the meaning of God fearing has alot more to do with respect . than actual fear In every instance that fear is used repect could just as easily be used it is a type of respect to know that God is our Judge. We all understand that God is also merciful and that we are saved through Jesus.but a good healthy dose of respect is a good thing.

Answer 5

As a father you can appreciate that you want your child to be obedient, it is for her own good. As a child, she loves you and wants to please you. Does she have a morbid fear of you? I doubt that immensely. She more than likely, has a fear of displeasing you, and that is the kind of fear we should have for God. If we realize all of God's laws are there for our good and our safety, we will work hard at obeying them, just like a child w/ their loving parent.

As a loving parent, you no doubt want your child to really know you, that is very important, wouldn't you agree.
I am going to include a link that will take you to an article that discusses getting to know God. I think you will find it interesting.
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2003/2/15/article_01.htm

Answer 6

I think this is because a common view (and one I have to admit I share) is that people who are religious often let this control their lives and shape what they do and don't do, and they often cite hell or some other negative consequence to others if asked what happens to people who do bad.

Thus it appears that religious people act the way they do out of fear of the outcome of acting what their book tells them is "bad" - hence god fearing.

Answer 7

I am Catholic and we believe in free will. religion is imposed to give us guidelines on what today's Conservative society dictates as wholesome and just. Our free will allows us to either reject or except what is laid before us. We also believe in confession. Renouncing your sins will return you to Gods favor. A majority of religions believe in a forgiving God or Gods and he/they will always keep you in his grace if you make an attempt to lead a semi-spiritual life. I have issues with any organized religion. I was raised Catholic and graduated from a Catholic high school. I studied different religions in college and I have questions with my faith and others, but honestly I never ventured outside my comfort zone (Catholicism). Do I believe in God? Yes. My life is lead by the spirituality inside me. I know right from wrong and I trust my senses. But at the same time I am human and I am prone to make mistakes.

Answer 8

Don't sweat it Jesus is God:

"For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
-- Colossians 2:9

"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
-- John 14:9

"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you Before Abraham was, I AM."
-- John 8:58

"There are three essentials of the church: acknowledgment of the divine of the Lord, acknowledgment of the holiness of the Word [Bible], and the life which is called charity" (Divine Providence n. 259[3]).

Answer 9

The word "fear" when it is used in contexts such as "god fearing" means: to have a reverential awe of. So no, this is not contradictory.

Answer 10

Many times, we do not get the full picture of the meaning of verses until we go back and study them in the original language. "Fear" in english does not mean what it does in Hebrew or in Greek. Strong's Concordance makes it easy. The context "Fear of the Lord" refers to the Hebrew definition 3373, and the Greek definition 5399. If you turn to the Hebrew section and look up 3373, the definition says "to revere." In the Greek, "to be in awe of, to revere, reverence."