Afraid or The Fear of God?

By Jinadu Ibukun

It is interesting how the word “FEAR” can carry different meanings. Being afraid of God is to see Him only as a judge, while to have the fear of God is to know Him as both judge and Father. One leads to hiding and it is driven by guilt and shame, the other leads to holiness and is drawn by grace.

For years, I misunderstood “The fear of God.” I thought it meant being afraid of God. I was so consumed with not being punished by God. I struggled to have a genuine relationship with Him. Whenever I lied or felt like I had offended God, and something bad happens immediately after, or I fall down or I hit my leg on a stone, I will say “God has punished me for the lie I told, or the offense I had committed.” It was so hard to worship in spirit and truth. I felt like I was walking on eggshells around a tyrant king, or waiting for lightning to strike every time I messed up, but over time through studying the scripture which helped me understand God’s love through the lens of Jesus Christ, continuous prayer, brokenness, and the grace of God, I came to see that there’s a huge difference between being afraid of God and having the fear of God.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

BEING AFRAID OF GOD:  FEAR THAT PULLS YOU AWAY

Being Afraid of God is fear in its raw panicked form. It creates a distance and builds a wall between you and God. It is the kind of fear that makes you hide from God when you mess up. You do not feel good enough to go to church all of a sudden and then you gradually withdraw from God’s presence, which is what the enemy seeks.

We see in scriptures how Adam and Eve after they sinned, they heard God walking in the garden and what did they do? “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” (Genesis 3:10 NLT). They did not run to Him; they ran from Him. That is what happens when fear is rooted in guilt and shame. It whispers… “God does not want you; you have messed up too badly this time”. It traps you in a cycle of trying to earn God’s love and fearing His punishment when you inevitably fall short.

The truth is being afraid of God makes us hide our sin instead of confessing it. We find ourselves avoiding prayer when we feel unworthy. We might even see God as a punisher not a father and this keeps us chained to condemnation and rubs us of having intimacy with God. Being afraid of God is driven by terror and distance that produces a legalistic mindset, making a person always trying to earn God’s love. It also leads to guilt without grace, shame without restoration and the desire to constantly hide from God.

THE FEAR OF GOD: FEAR THAT DRAWS YOU CLOSER

On the bright side, The Fear of God is the kind the bible actually encourages. It is the kind of fear a child has when they do not want to disappoint their loving father, not because they are afraid of being beaten, but because they value the relationship. It is the understanding one has of deep reverence and the recognition of how holy, just, sovereign and full of grace God is, and with that recognition responds to falling short not with panic, but repentance, humility and remorse.

·       Proverbs 9:10(NIV): “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

·       Psalm 25:14(NIV): “The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.”

This fear is not about terror, it is about awe, it provides wisdom, obedience out of love not obligation, humility and surrender that leads to a deeper intimacy with God and awakens a heart of worship. While being afraid of God makes us hide in shame, the fear of God makes us bow in surrender. It is the kind of fear that says, God is holy, and I do not want to live outside His will. God is just, and I honour Him with my life. God is near, and I do not want to grieve His Spirit. The fear of God births obedience out of love and worship from a deep place of reverence.

What Kind of Fear Do You Carry?

If you have been running from God because you are afraid of Him, I want to assure you today that God is not out to destroy you, He wants to redeem you. Jesus did not die so we could keep hiding in fear. Maybe it is time to trade in terror for reverence, to stop running from God and start walking with Him, in awe of who He is.

Let me give an example of fire. Those who are afraid of fire run from it, but those who understand its power and purpose draw close to it with respect to stay warm, to cook and to survive, to make products, etc. It is the same with God, being afraid of God pushes us away but having the fear of God pulls us into alignment with His presence.

CONCLUSION 

I will conclude with two questions.

1.     Are you avoiding God because you are scared He is angry with you?

2.     Are you obeying God, just so He does not punish you or because you love Him?

Today, God is inviting you to drop the fear that makes you hide and pick up the fear that makes you kneel in awe. 1 John 4:18 (NIV) 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.” God’s love is not soft, but it is safe. The fear of God does not come from punishment, it comes from knowing He is too holy to play with, but too good to stay away from. If you have been afraid of God and it has kept you distant, Jesus is calling you today with an outstretched arm of grace and love.

If you want to walk in the fear of God, the kind that brings wisdom, direction, and intimacy, please say this prayer with me. “Lord, I lay down every fear that makes me run from You. Help me walk in holy reverence. Please show me your heart and draw me close to you. Father, teach me to fear You rightly, in Jesus’ name Amen."

REFERENCE 

biblegateway.com New International Version (NIV)

biblegateway.com New Living Translation (NLT)