| Fear of the Lord -- Study by St. Wisdom |
Revelation of the
F e a r o f t h e L o r d
The Fear of the Lord is a Spirit given to believers by God.
To the Body of Jesus Christ,
Jesus Christ's life here on earth showed us how to live in the "Fear of the Lord."
To ultimately understand the truth about the "Fear of the Lord" we must first identify it in the "Holy Living Word of God".
What really is the "Fear of the Lord"?
According to Holy Scripture, the 11th chapter of Isaiah describes the
'Restoration of the Messiah's Kingdom'.
Verses 1 and 2 reads,
"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
The above scripture confirms that there are seven Spirits that were given to our Lord Jesus Christ.
These are the following Spirits given to the "Rod" from the stem of Jesse, and the "Branch" that shall grow out of his roots.
- The Spirit of the Lord
- The Spirit of wisdom
- The Spirit of understanding
- The Spirit of counsel
- The Spirit of might
- The Spirit of knowledge
- The Spirit of the fear of the Lord
The "Rod" means the "Living Word of God". The "Branch" is Jesus Christ.
1. What does the Spirit of the fear of the Lord mean?
2. How do we recognize it in those who are the elect of God?
Jesus Christ is the Rod - that is, the Holy Living Word of God.
2 Timothy 4, verses 16 and 17 reads,
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Jesus Christ is the Supernatural "Branch" from the root of Jesse. Isaiah 7, verse 14 reads,
"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel."
Emmanuel simply means, "God with us".
We will discuss the other six Spirits in separate lessons in the near future.
How do we recognize a person who has the spirit of the fear of the Lord?
Watch for these godly attributes in their lives:
Galatians 5:22-26 says,
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
The book of Malachi, the third chapter, from verses 16 through 18 explains how the Lord God of Hosts rewards those who fear His name. The Scriptures say,
"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. They shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him."
The book of St. John 1:32-34 says,
"And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
Jesus Christ clearly sets the example in the above Holy Scriptures and as His disciples, if we want to manifest the power to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out evil spirits in the name of Jesus, all believers must pray to the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. That is the "Promise." Let us remember this:
Our Lord Jesus Christ requires absolute obedience from all believers in His Church, the Body of Christ.
It is clear from the above "Holy Living Word of God" that Jesus Christ is both human and divine. His Father gave Him not only "The Spirit of the Lord," but also the Spirits of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The biblical definition of the phase "The fear of the Lord," is to hate things God hates and to love things God loves. God hates these things:
(Book of Proverbs the 6 chapter from verses 16 thru 19.)
"These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven is an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among the brethren."
Solomon, the second wisest king who ever lived, concluded the Holy book of Ecclesiastes in these words,
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil."
This clearly defines what God loves and what He hates.
Oh, by the way, the wisest King who ever lived is our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
Lets turn to Jeremiah, chapter 17, verses 5 thru 8.
"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in the salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out it roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."
It is clear that God hates those who put their trust and strength in man and flesh, but He loves those who completely put their trust and hope in God.
Putting your TRUST in God is good. Putting your HOPE in Him takes us to another level in God. The only way to accomplish both goals is to cultivate an intimate relationship with God! This is how we do it . . .
daily prayer, reading the Bible on a consistent basis,
reading a daily biblical devotional with Holy Scripture
attached to the document, occasional fasting,
consistent weekly bible study in a small group,
attending weekly worship services at a local church,
and giving regular tithes and offerings for the glory of God.
Recently, I had the pleasure of defending the "Holy Word of God."
An unbeliever challenged me. He said, "Prove to me that Jesus Christ is God."
I told him that Jesus Christ originated from supernatural lineage. I began to explain that in the Old Testament, the God of Israel was always referred to as "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Then I asked him, "Why did God change Abram's and Jacob's names to Abraham and Israel, but He did not change Isaac's name? So, I said, "Can you tell me why?"
The unbeliever then asked, "What does that question have to do with my original question to you?" I responded,
"Isaac was a miracle child, supernaturally given to Abraham and Sarah as a gift from God. Abraham was a hundred years old and his wife, Sarah was ninety years old when Isaac, their son was born. Isaac's ancestry line was God's way to bring His Son, Jesus Christ into the world to save mankind from their sins."
Jesus Christ came through Isaac's line as another way to prove that Jesus Christ is God. As believers in the Body of Christ, we can understand and witness to the world, proclaiming this scriptural history, proving that Jesus Christ is God all by Himself.
Secondly, as believers, we must engage the world about the truth of God's Holy Word -- not only witnessing to others, but being doers of the Holy Word of God.
If you obey these instructions, the world will see that you possess and practice, the "Fear of the Lord," which is the beginning of wisdom.
Lastly, by imitating the life of Jesus Christ, believers will not only find the "Fear of the Lord", but will also discover how to live a life here on earth in the fear of the Lord.
To begin this task, start an in-depth study of the Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the New Testament of the Bible. The "Fear of the Lord" is simply loving what God loves and hating what God hates and most importantly -- living it. James 2:26 says it this way.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
The most profound example of our Lord Jesus Christ displaying the fear of the Lord is when He prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Scripture says in verse 39 of Matthew 26,
"He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed saying,
"O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless,
not as I will, but as You will."
The fear of the Lord simply means to obey the entire "Living Word of God."
In His Holy and Awesome Presence,
St. Wisdom