What does it mean when people say they fear God?

[Anonymous]

I'm new as a Christian and I hear this a lot.. what do they actually mean?

[NamerOfStars]

That they're missing the point of Christianity. Do we (Christians) hold that God is all-powerful? Yes- but power alone doesn't make you worthy of worship. The whole point (arguably, natch) of Christianity was God coming down and taking human form, seeing the other side of the equation Himself and finally putting some skin in the game.

Jesus didn't set Himself up as a ruler; He lived a humble life, and a disreputable one, by the company He kept. The goal is virtue, not ostentation, and to learn (and show!) the value of it; not just that you can live without it.

Judaism, in its original form, was all about placating a perpetually pissed-off godhead; "fearing God" makes (or made, at the time) more sense to them. You mostly hear the phrase now from the type of Christian who would (and sometimes does) volunteer at the homeless shelter to help the needy, but wouldn't even dream of socializing with them.

[Asker]

Intressting so its not good to say?

[NamerOfStars]

Well, that's a bit trickier to say. I'm an amateur theologian at best, and I'm not so proud of myself that I'd say my interpretation of Christianity is the One Correct Way- but those who proudly call themselves "God-fearing" are expressing a very different religious mindset, and one I disagree with vehemently.

[Asker]

Yes I do too! Because in my mind God is good. We are his children and he loves us and wants the best for us. If anything wouldn't the Devil want people to fear God?

[NamerOfStars]

My thoughts exactly.

[Asker]

Cool!

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

It means to revere God and to depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:6

In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

And welcome to the Christian family. If you can ask God in faith to help you find a good Christian church in your area.

Get yourself a New King James Bible and read it. Beware of different Bible versions out there. I strongly suggest NKJV.

[Asker]

Thank you very much!:)

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Welcome. If you have any questions at all regarding Christianity or the Bible feel free to ask so I can help you.

[Asker]

Okay thank you I might catch you up on that!

[collie22]

I like that cause it go's along with what I believe. The Hebrew translating both fear or revere 😊

[Agape93]

God did say he invented all evil, and has killed countless people personally for stupid offenses, like tripping and dropping a box or being the subject of a ruler he didn't like.

[Asker]

Where does it say that?

[Agape93]

Which one?

[Asker]

That he invented all evil

[Agape93]

Isaiah 45:7

[Asker]

Yes you have access to both but you also have free will

[Agape93]

Correct. But the passage literally says he created good and evil. Thus my point stands.

[Asker]

So then he hasent killed innocent people. Thats part of free will but yes he created the option

[Agape93]

Actually he has, as I have said. If you tripped and dropped a box, would you deserve to die? Because God directly killed an innocent man for doing just that.

[Asker]

No you dont understand free will

[Agape93]

I do understand free will. You're just not paying the fuck attention. You're the only one here discussing free will when it is not even relevant here. I am discussing gods direct actions.

Pay the fuck attention or don't reply

[Agape93]

2 Samuel 6 - 7, where God directly killed a man because he tripped.

[XHopelessRomanticX]

The fear of God is a profound reverence for His power and glory, but it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger.

[Asker]

Okay so its something people say to show respect to God?

[XHopelessRomanticX]

It’s sort of like a personal testimony. If I say “I fear God,” I’m saying that God’s Word and Commandments are what matter to me, and I fear what God can do to me, not what people can do to me.

[Asker]

Okay I see

[CindersFire]

There have been some pretty good answers (and some garbage ones) but i also thought i should make it clear that god fearing is an older term and natural language drift makes it not quite as clear as it once was. Typically you dont mean that you are literally acting out of fear for divine retribution, or at least not immediatly, but rather you are keeping him in your mind and heart and giving him the proper respect he deserves.

[Asker]

That explains it thank you!

And yes I agree some responces here were bad

[jshm2]

The same as you fear being cancelled, persecuted or killed by the state.

To "fear" means you do not break laws out of malice or ignorance, as you understand the power of falling foul.

You're not made out to be a Christian, kiddo.

[Asker]

I dont see it that way and thats not your judgement to make oldy

[In_Trance]

It means you need to ask for clarification from the people that say this

[Asker]

Okay lol

[Lara_Croft]

They revere him and esteem him as the embodiment of al authority. This fear also pushes them to follow his commands

[jahaims]

It means they are morons.

[Asker]

🤔🤔

[FunkyMonkee]

They're superstitious!