Does any person know what a healthy fear of God is?

Question

The proverbs says the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom. Therefore wisdom does not come from preaching or knowledge but a healthy fear of God. Can someone tell me what a healthy fear of God is and what that will achive in a person life that is good and benificial?

Answer 1

The only people who know what a healthy fear of God is are those who understand, by faith, something of the awesome nature of our Creator and his sovereign right to give, and to take away.

Many answerers here think there can be no such thing as a healthy fear. Well, consider the need to fear electricity. It's power is so great that if we misuse it, we could die. Even if we are forgetful, we could die ("Did I dry my hands before I reached out for that switch.... aaaaargh!) We need a healthy fear of gravity whilst on terra firma and flying in the sky. We need a healthy fear of the Government, as it bears the sword in order to punish evildoers. So, yes, fear is sometimes vital. It's fear based on respect that comes from understanding the powerful nature of someone / some thing.

To know something of the powerful nature of God is to begin to be wise. It leads to respect. It leads to understanding why the Ten Commandments begin with 2 laws about our respect for God, then 8 laws about our respect for fellow humans. At risk of causing outrage, I'll state that it's only when we respect God properly that we can begin to respect other people properly, because we see that they, too, are created in the image of God - even (or should that be, especially?) the unlovely. In turn, endeavouring to keep the Ten Commandments (and inevitably failing because they are perfect whilst we are not) should lead us to call upon God in faith for his transforming grace in our lives. But as long as we independently strive to be good, or to be better than the next person, our pride will leg us down every time. Pride is the opposite of the fear of God. So another benefit is losing our pride and becoming humble.

Answer 2

I have never known fear to be healthy.

But I guess if the Christian God is the kind that actually burns billions of people in hell, including great minds, peacemakers, loving people, good women and children, then you would have EVERY reason to fear such a God.

I personally prefer a God I can respect and look upon with wonderous awe inspired LOVE.

Answer 3

The fear of the LORD is a reverence and respect for God and His authority. It isn't this trembling fear thinking "oh God, don't smite me!" it's a reasonable fear of God's authority. When I'm standing before God at judgment, I'll be afraid bc He'll have my life in His hands. I know that I'll get to heaven if I follow Christ, and God won't go back on His word, but I nevertheless will experience that fear, that respect for His authority and power over my life.

Answer 4

To have a healthy fear of God is to read His Word, His Truths. Wisdom comes from Studying God's word so that you can avoid being foolish. Fools are persons who have no true wisdom, who follow their own devices, without regard to reason, or reverence for God. Children are reasonable creatures, and when we tell them what they must do, we must tell them why. But they are corrupt and wilful, therefore with the instruction there is need of a law. Let Divine truths and commands be to us most honourable; let us value them, and then they shall be so to us. (Pr 1:10-19)

Answer 5

It's when you have an awe or reverance for God. It's not frightful sort of fear.

"The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

This fear of God, so essential to a meaningful life, is not the same as morbid dread. We might feel dread if we are threatened by a cruel and dangerous criminal. But fear of God—or godly fear—is awe and profound reverence for the Creator. It also involves healthful fear of displeasing God because he is the Supreme Judge and the Almighty, who has both the power and the authority to punish those who disobey.

Answer 6

A healthy fear of God is to know that your very soul, your whole existence, is completely in His hands. He can say "yea' or "nay" to everything of you: your hopes, dreams, fears, your very future state of existence. From this position you can only plead for grace and mercy.

This will lead to reverence and humility, and the wisdom the scripture in Proverbs promises.

Answer 7

“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.” --Revelation 14:7

To 'fear' God is often misunderstood to mean: '*to be afraid or terrified*' of God. However, there are several definitions for the word: fear:

#1 verb: be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
#2 verb: be uneasy or apprehensive about
#3 verb: be sorry
#4 verb: be afraid / feel anxious / apprehensive about a possible / probable situation or event

#5 verb: *regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of*

Number #5 is the fear that the Bible is using in regard to our feelings for God:

"You alone, Jehovah, are the God above all other gods in supreme charge of all the earth." --Psalms 83:18

I cannot explain this fear any better than the dictionary has defined it*.

However, the following on-line article goes into depth , explaining what the fear of God means, & how it can affect us for our good:

Why Study the Bible?
-- The Key to A Meaningful Life
>- What the Fear of God Means
->- Drawing Close to God Means We Both Love & Fear Him
>- Fear and Love Work Together
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2001/7/1/article_02.htm

Without a proper respect for our Creator, we cannot have the proper attitude toward any aspect of our life! On our part, it requires an appreciative attitude, which is fortified by thoughtful meditation about everything he has done --& promises to do-- for us, our home the earth, & our loved ones... even those currently asleep in death. And these things, all to the glory of his name. This brings a peace of mind & heart that cannot exist without a growing sense of what wonderful things he has in store for his faithful worshippers.
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/6/15/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20000822a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2003/2/15/article_01.htm

"All Scripture is inspired of God and *beneficial* for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."
-- 2 Timothy 3:16,17
http://watchtower.org/bible/index.htm

A spiritual person can reap a lot of benefits from their reverence of Jehovah God!

(Due to the common misunderstanding*, I prefer using the words 'awe or reverence, to avoid wrong conclusions being reached.)

Answer 8

there is more than one definition for FEAR
the one in reference it stated in Websters as:

6. In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear.

I will put my fear in their hearts. Jer 32.

Answer 9

A healthy fear of God?

I feel that a healthy fear of God is that to start with you acknowledge him , and that you remember he is there, watching you, but also that he is there to help you.

To fear God is not to run and hide, it is to remember that he loves you and that he will be there for you if you need him, but also that he will be a just judge, he will not favor you.

Answer 10

it fairly is it? your comprehensive premise lies on a quote from an previous delusion? If i don't worry God, my guts are gonna come out? i'd answer your question, even though it is extra of a fact, fairly. EDIT: it is exciting which you will point out "our little international", because of the fact our universe is unquestionably so huge, which you will would desire to be rather shallow to believe that it became into created for us. lots existence existed in the past us, lots existence exists outdoors of human beings' organic attain, and existence maximum probable exists on different planets someplace else interior the universe; if there's a God, do you fairly believe he has time to waste with you and that i? and that i fail to appreciate the thank you to envision the vastness of the universe and end with actuality, out of nowhere: God did it. whilst we don't understand the respond to a query, we are saying we don't understand, not "God did it", because of the fact then there is no reason to look extra beneficial to locate the answer.