When you read “fear of the Lord” or “fear the Lord”, what do you think of? Being afraid? Scared half to death? Or maybe just a bit nervous? Or something else? What does Fear of the Lord really mean?
Take a look at the adjacent image. There are two very different interpretations of “Fear of the Lord” in there.
On the left, God is stern, scary, and the person is very much afraid.
On the right, God (the Father) is friendly. Jesus is in the background. And the person is studying about God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But what does the image tell us? Does the person react differently because God is different? Or is something else going on there?
Let’s find out.
Summary of What does Fear of the Lord really mean?
I explore the meaning of the phrase “fear of the Lord” in the Bible, and how it can be understood in different ways depending on the context and the relationship with God.
The phrase “Fear of the Lord” does not always mean being afraid of God, but can also mean having a reverential awe, respect, and love for God, as well as a desire to obey and learn from Him.
I compare two images of a person’s view of God, one showing fear and the other showing awe, and explain how they reflect different interpretations of “fear of the Lord”.
I also examine the original Hebrew word for “fear” and how it has various meanings and nuances that are not fully captured by the English translation.
God and me - this life and the next 
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