I try to understand how people can both fear and praise the Creator of the universe, and all I can come up with is that they must think God is spying on them and checking a list twice of who's naughty and who's nice, of who deserves heaven and who deserves hell.
Do you have other ideas about why so many fear God? Feel free to use the novel 1984 in your answer if you wish.
2007-03-07 15:00:50 · 19 answers · asked by God_Lives_Underwater 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I hate God
2007-03-07 15:03:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The term fear can sometimes be replaced with the word respect in the bible. Some people believe he is an all loving God others believe we should fear him dreadful but perhaps those are only two facets seen of a multi-faceted God. And perhaps on such a grand scale that the human mind can not grasp hence we fear that which we no not.
And did you know you spoke of was that book was written in 1948 hmmm strange.
2007-03-07 15:38:35 · answer #2 · answered by HEY U 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different people fear different things differently. Some fear God just as you said, some are afraid that they will have to change who they are or how they act if they believe in him. Some of those who can worship him at the same time that they fear him, aren't so much afraid of God as they are afraid of disappointing him. It's sort of like a matter of respect more than fear. Honestly, I'm more afraid of doing something that would make my Dad think less of me than I am afraid of simply making him angry. I believe it's similar with God. The same Bible that says "Fear God" also says "perfect love casts out fear". I believe that's the kind of 'fear' its talking about when it says "fear God", When love and respect cast out the other kind of fear, then that's heading toward perfection. Anyhow to sum up. That's how people can both fear and praise God. And yes, most of us aren't perfect yet and manage to still be afraid in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons.
2007-03-07 15:15:41 · answer #3 · answered by my 2 cents 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People fear God because they fear their own consciences. It's partly a guilt thing. I really want to be good, but I can't always be, and there's a part of me that wants justice done - upon myself. We are conditioned this way from day one, to feel guilty about our sins, and that's not a bad idea - but I see no need to bring God into it. There are better reasons to be good.
Also, the expression 'god fearing' can sometimes just mean to be respectful of or in awe of God - I don't think it has to be taken literally.
2007-03-07 15:29:32 · answer #4 · answered by LT 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, I didn't used to understand exactly what it was that "fearing the Lord" meant, until just a couple years ago (I've been a Christian since I was 6 years old, and am now 25).
When the Lord asks us to "fear" Him, He's not asking us to be afraid, because that would be completely contradictory to what He says about the spirit of fear, in His Word. 1 John 4:18 says, "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."
The kind of fear God is referring to is more about respect of Him than anything. Psalm 128:1 says, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways". Blessed are those who RESPECT the Lord's will.
Hope that helps some. :)
2007-03-07 15:16:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jenn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that's what the Bible says at Galatians 6:7,8 7 don't be misled: God isn't one to be mocked. For despite a guy is sowing, this he will additionally attain; We could face particular effects of our strikes. this would not advise that when extending forgiveness Jehovah motives adversity to befall us. whilst issues upward thrust up, a Christian shouldn't experience, ‘maybe Jehovah is punishing me for previous sins.’ (James a million:13) on the different hand, Jehovah does no longer shelter us from each and all the end results of our incorrect strikes. undergo in concepts David and his sins in connection with bath-sheba. If others have been harm by skill of our sins, God is thrilled as quickly as we do what we are able to to authentic the incorrect. (Matthew 5:23, 24) this could contain acknowledging our sin, admitting our guilt, or maybe apologizing to the sufferer. Then we are able to attraction to Jehovah on the inspiration of Jesus’ sacrifice and journey the insurance that we've been forgiven by skill of God.—Hebrews 10:21, 22.
2016-11-23 14:34:49 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one knows what God really is or really wants or, for that matter, if he even exists. God certainly has not been proven. This makes God an unknown and people fear the unknown. It doesn't help matters any that God is described as all powerful and all knowing. God is also know for sending sinners to Hell and, many religions consider so many things a sin that it is practically impossible to not sin. There are also plenty of passages that refer to God as wrathful and vengeful, the "fire and brimstone" God. It's easy to see why God would be scary to those that believe in him. If I believed in God, I would be afraid of him to.
2007-03-07 15:12:44 · answer #7 · answered by Bob 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the main reason is because God is still pretty much unknown, heck we don't even know if he exists and lots of people really fear the unknown. We really fear what could be out there and what they might do to us, in general. I believe everything is God, it's even versed in the bible in Romans 8:88
2007-03-07 15:10:15 · answer #8 · answered by scepterium 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so many people fear God because they have not lived a good life. they are afraid to die because every1 fears the unkown. Socrates once said people are either afraid of dying because they have not lived a good life or they are not afraid to die becaue they know they have lived life for the good of their souls. death can be two things, a great sleep or a meeting with God. if it is a great sleep then people shouldnt be afraid of dying since people like to sleep, however if it is a meeting with God they would only be afraid of him if they havent lived a life that has purified their soul. they wouldnt be afraid if they lived a life that was for the good of heir soul. two examples of no fear of god or dying can be seen in Thomas Moore and King Charles. they asked for a coat on the day of their beheading so people wouldnt think that because they were shivering hey wer afraid. if you live a moral and good life you shouldnt be afraid of him but rather be joyous of his presence. they only fear him bcause they fear they have livd a live that has corrupted their soul.
2007-03-07 15:17:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fear of God is an expression from thousands of years ago. Fear, then, was the meaning for ultimate respect and honor for the Father.
Fearing God, as any good Christian would, means that we honor God as the Father and serve Him and only Him, respect Him and His word and of course, place no other god before Him.
2007-03-07 15:06:17 · answer #10 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have no fear of god more of a feeling like a son that cares for his fathers happiness by trying to read the texts/rules that were laid out and complying with the ones that fit our lives today. As you would try to make your parents happy with you as a child!
2007-03-07 15:08:59 · answer #11 · answered by S.O.S. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋