when the Bible says fear the Lord, what do you mean by "fear"?

Question

and went it says do not fear, is that different? isn't fear a bad thing?

Answer 1

Fear as in respect.

Answer 2

Any of these senses—terror, honor, submission—may be involved when God is the object of fear, with the additional sense of worship. For those who are enemies rather than followers of the Lord, terror is most appropriate (Jer. 5:22). Such terror is limited by the fact that God is not capricious but acts consistently according to His righteous character and revealed will. Nevertheless, those guilty of idolatry and injustice have every reason to fear His coming wrath in judgment (Ps. 90:11; Isa. 13:6-11; 30:30-33; Zeph. 1:18; Heb. 10:26-31). Terror is the only reasonable response when confronted by a Being whose knowledge and power have no limits, unless one’s safety has been assured. The Bible contains many cases of a divine or angelic appearance to which fear is the natural response (Exod. 3:6; 20:18-20; Dan. 10:10-12; Luke 1:12-13,30). Following the resurrection of Christ, for example, an angelic appearance caused the guards at the tomb to faint with fear, but the believing women were told they had nothing to fear (Matt. 28:4-5).

The proper attitude of believers toward God is often said to be respect, reverence, or awe rather than fear. The biblical terminology, however, is the same, and God’s character remains unchanged. The description of God often translated “awesome” is literally “feared” or “fearful” (Exod. 15:11; Neh. 1:5; Job 37:22; Ps. 89:7; Dan. 9:4). Confining the believer’s attitude toward God to “reverence” or “awe” rather than “fear” may lose sight of those aspects of the divine character that compel obedience—His perfect holiness and righteousness and His unlimited knowledge and power. Knowing that God’s wrath has been satisfied in Christ relieves the believer from the fear of condemnation but not from accountability to a holy God (2 Cor. 5:10-11; 7:1; 1 Tim. 5:20; 1 Pet. 1:17).

Answer 3

No to fear the Lord is to know that He can send you straight to hell (Matthew 10 28). This means His Word should make you tremble (Is 66 5). I have a hard time believing the people who tell you to not fear God or to fear Him in a minimal way actually know God at all. Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Answer 4

To fear God is to take Him very seriously! Some teachers are feared in school because the students know they mean mean what they say and are very strict. The students don't want to cross those teachers. So it is with fearing God. He has high standards of holiness.

When angels have said, "Do not fear," they were talking to the people who were afraid the angel would kill them. That was a different kind of fear.

Answer 5

ed: The King James Version of the Bible uses the more poetic but ancient English terminology. "Fear" can mean to simply, have a healthy respect for. In the New Testament you will find the verse, "perfect(ed) love casts out all fear." This is not a contradiction but describes the relationship qualities found with God, the Father, in Jesus Christ. "Fear" is a less than ideal way to motivate people and the better way would to have people come into a healthy respect with God because he or she wants to. "Fear religion" is not a hallmark of a Christian.

Answer 6

Definition #3


Main Entry:
1fear Listen to the pronunciation of 1fear
Pronunciation:
\ˈfir\
Function:
verb
Etymology:
Middle English feren, from Old English fǣran, from fǣr
Date:
before 12th century

transitive verb
1archaic : frighten
2archaic : to feel fear in (oneself)
3: to have a reverential awe of
4: to be afraid of : expect with alarm intransitive verb: to be afraid or apprehensive

and went it says do not fear, is that different?
Yes.

Answer 7

Not sure I can accurately define it, but compared to even 50 years ago I would say whatever it is there sure isn't much of it around. Whether it be terror or respect Christians today have little or none of either. The frivolousness with which Christians talk about their God is really scary to me. When John the Apostle (Probably Jesus closest friend) saw Jesus in His present glorified state he fell on his face as a dead man. Today those who profess Him as their Lord will tell jokes about Him like He is some movie star.

Answer 8

Most major religions are based on fear... In the olden days there was no neighborhood watch or a police force. People had to be scared into good behavior by a supernatural force. George Bush's "war on terror" is exactly the same as Christian's "hell"

Answer 9

Fear of God means obeying his commandments.

Let's read Ecclesiastes 12:13,

"This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. "

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Answer 10

I think is 'fear', as in be careful...or I'll punish you. I mean, fear only has one meaning, and generally is caused by something bad, or something bad that is about to happen.