What Does it Mean to Fear God?

Hello Family,

I know so many people who live in fear. Some are terrified of eating certain foods or being around others who might make them sick. Others fear being robbed, losing their jobs, or facing an uncertain future. Some are haunted by deeper, more personal fears, like the belief that they are unloved or that their lives lack meaning. For many, these fears hold more power over their lives than the fear of God. This is evident in how they live: constantly trying to avoid disaster, failure, or discomfort, always on the defensive, never at peace. But the Proverbs 9:10 tell us this;

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

To truly understand this verse, and the many others like it, we must first understand what this fear is not.

What the Fear of God is NOT

The fear of God is not the same as the spirit of fear that causes anxiety, panic, or dread. In fact, 2 Timothy 1:7 declares,

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

God does not instill terror or anxious fear in His children. That is not how He intends for us to live. On the contrary, scripture consistently calls us to courage and strength. Revelation 21:8 even says that the “cowardly” or “fearful” among those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God, a sobering reminder that fear can become a barrier to faith.

Over and over, God commands His people to be bold:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Courage, in the biblical sense, is not reckless confidence in oneself, it’s active faith. It’s choosing to believe and obey God's Word above circumstances, perspectives, or fear. And it’s in this posture of faith that God does His most amazing work.

The Hebrew word most often translated as “fear” in the phrase "Fear of the Lord" is Yirah (יִרְאָה). This word carries meanings of deep respect, reverence, and awe. These are familiar terms, but when directed toward God, they fall short. In our culture, respect is a basic expectation. Reverence, however, carries far more weight. It once described the honor given to royalty or sacred authority. The word awe is still used today, as we still use terms like “awesome,” though often in diluted ways. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, awe is “a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime.” In both cases, we see that biblical fear of the Lord is far more than being scared, it’s a response to recognizing His holiness, majesty, and authority.

What the Fear of God IS

To fear God means to recognize His character; to know that He is holy and just, powerful and sovereign. It also means acknowledging that our sinful nature stands in stark contrast to His perfection. And yet, it is this very God who extends grace, mercy, redemption, and salvation through Jesus Christ.

This kind of fear is not terror, it’s trust. It’s not panic, it’s perspective. It is the kind of fear a child has toward a good father, not rooted in dread, but in love, awe, and a desire to honor.

For some, this idea is difficult to grasp, perhaps they did not have the example of a good earthly father. This was me, I could not even begin to understand what a father was like because I never had that. I did not even meet my father until I was fifteen years old, even then I was not a priority to him. But this is why the Bible is such a gift. Through it's stories, commandments, and promises, we come to know the character of our heavenly Father. We see His love in His faithfulness despite their disobedience, His grace despite their sinfulness, and His mercy that extends from generation to generation.

God's Word teaches us who He is, so that we may fear Him rightly, walk in wisdom, and live in freedom, not fear.

Puah and Shiphrah

Let’s take a moment to consider two remarkable but often overlooked women from the book of Exodus: Puah and Shiphrah, Hebrew midwives whose courage and faith made a lasting impact. These women are a powerful example of what it means to live with the fear of God, even in the face of grave danger.

During the time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, Pharaoh issued a horrific command in an effort to suppress the growing Hebrew population. He summoned Puah and Shiphrah before him—a terrifying experience for anyone, let alone two Hebrew women. In Egyptian culture, Pharaoh was considered divine, and his word was absolute. To stand in defiance of him was potentially a death sentence.

Pharaoh commanded them, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” (Exodus 1:16). This wasn’t a suggestion. It was an imperial decree, an order to commit murder. But verse 17 reveals something extraordinary:

“The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”

Their reverence for God outweighed their fear of Pharaoh. In refusing to obey, they didn’t just risk their own lives—they jeopardized the lives of all Hebrew midwives and possibly the entire community. Defying Pharaoh's order was an act of immense bravery and deep faith.

To understand the gravity of their decision, we need to grasp the cultural and political climate of the time. The “anger of Pharaoh” was considered a divine force, essential to maintaining order and enforcing obedience. Any challenge to his authority was swiftly and severely punished. That Puah and Shiphrah were not executed is, in itself, an act of God. Even so, God did not overlook their faithfulness.

“And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.” (Exodus 1:21)

This reward was deeply meaningful. In ancient Hebrew culture, family and children were considered one of the highest blessings. These women, who had helped bring life into the world for others, were now blessed with households and families of their own. God honored their reverence and gave them what they may have once feared they'd never have.

Puah and Shiphrah’s story reminds us that the fear of God is not about trembling before punishment—it’s about honoring Him above all else. Their courage came from their conviction that God’s authority far outweighed human power. And because they feared God, they became vessels of His mercy, protectors of His people, and recipients of His blessing.

Their story calls us to the same kind of fearless faith—faith that stands firm, because we serve a God who sees, remembers, and rewards those who honor Him.