Okay I heard this on the t.v. the other day and I was wondering, why should man be afraid of god whenever god is supposed to be someone we love and trust? Why do we need fear? Is he an abusive father who only loves you whenever you do his bidding? And why should someone be a "God-fearing man"?
2007-03-08 07:23:47 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay then is just another question to go along with this one...
My stepfather is a god-fearing man, however, he used to beat me when I younger and tried to force himself on me. That is why I have amnesia and can't remember from day to day. He broke me and now I have to go through life because this fanatical christian ruined my life. How is this fair,exactly?
2007-03-08 07:40:58 · update #1
This has always been a hard concept to sell. "Fear of the Lord" appears in several places in the Bible, but its most prominent citing is in Isaiah 11:2-3, which lists what have come to be known as the"Gifts of the Spirit".
Some prefer to render the word as "awe". "Fear" is a negative, but here it means a sense of proportion. God is far more than we can comprehend. We can have a relationship with God but we can never assume we have God "figured out". There is always mystery we can't hope to inderstand, so we shouldn't become smug. It's not a "run away and hide" fear but more like respect for the independent power and will of a benevolent parent.
Compare "taking the Lord's name in vain". I don't mean casual swearing and cursing. I mean saying things like, "God doesn't like that," or "This is what God would do." We may have a good idea of what God would do but we shouldn't presume to speak for God or predict God's behavior. We need to maintain a sense of our own humility.
2007-03-08 07:55:01 · answer #1 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"God-fearing man" is a terminology used for a man who thoroughly understands the Word of God and lives by the Word of God. He is not so ignorant to believe that he can get by with a continually sinful lifestyle and expect to spend eternity in heaven. He has truly been born-again and he lives his life for the Lord. This man fears no man, but he fears the Lord only. This man is respected in his community and he is always found doing what is right. His children are disciplined and well behaved. His wife is a virtuous woman and well respected.
2007-03-08 07:36:20 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that "God," viz. the God of the "Old Testament," is a bloodthirsy tyrant who is always commanding the rape of virgins and the murder of little children. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Actually, this particular usage of "fear" only means "reverential awe."
2007-03-08 07:29:32 · answer #3 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The modern usage of this term is probably derived from Puritan teachings in the 18th century, at least in America. See reference below for a very famous example:
2007-03-08 07:31:19 · answer #4 · answered by Dendryte88 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Women don't fear God?
2007-03-08 07:31:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaks of Jesus ministry.
ISA 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--
ISA 11:3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
ISA 11:4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
ISA 11:5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
AC 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
2007-03-08 07:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I have no fear of God. I think that's a ridiculous idea.
2007-03-08 07:29:41 · answer #7 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom"
proverb
'fear' means acknowledge
2007-03-08 07:35:25 · answer #8 · answered by Doug 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dunno theres a few verses about it.
heres one
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
or heres a better one
Deuteronomy 6:13
Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
2007-03-08 07:27:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I am God BOOO!
EDIT: I'm sorry that happened to you, that sort of thing happens more often then most people realize
2007-03-08 07:26:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋