In Hayford’s Bible Hand book, fear is described in two forms: a godly emotion, feeling of reverence, awe, and respect toward the Almighty, or an unpleasant emotion caused by natural circumstance of supernatural assault. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines the word fear (Hebrew: yare’) as – reverence, terror, awe; an object of fear, respect, or reverence. In this article the fear of God is portrayed as the ‘Holy Spirit-mediated reverence for God’. It has three main facets: a revelation of who God is; giving Him His rightful place and yielding everything to His authority.
The prophet Isaiah whilst introducing our Lord noted that he would be filled with “...the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD...” affirming that “the fear of God” is part of the identity of His Spirit. The fear of God can be imparted to individuals by the Holy Spirit. As applies to all His gifts, the fear of God is for our good whilst the enemy (Satan) offers the opposite - the fear that causes us to flee - contrary to the blessings that the Holy Spirit-mediated fear of God brings. An example is the ‘fear’ that often accompanies sin. ”I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid.... and I hid myself.” The fear of God mediated by His Spirit drives us towards Him and enables us embrace His promise to forgive and cleanse us. God Almighty does not want us to be afraid of Him in a way that drives us from His presence. Click here to download the full magazine.
Written by Mrs. Ngozi Nwokoma, OFNC Doncaster Branch, UK