FEARING GOD
When the Scriptures speak of "fearing God", it is often meant--not to be afraid of Him, but to reverence Him, or give Him honor. For example, "There was a man in the Land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and escheweth evil". In the Amplified Bible, you have a very clear picture of the actual meaning of "fear" in this case: "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who [reverently] feared God and abstained from and shunned evil [because it was wrong]." (Job 1:1, KJV, TAB)
There are times, when the "fear of God" has nothing to do with honor or reverence, but is directly related to the awesome power of God's wrath. For example: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell". The Amplified Bible illuminates this passage, as well, for us: "And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna)." Hell was not even made for man--but for the devil and his angels (Isaiah 5: 14,15; Matthew 25:40,41), but because of the wickedness of man, Hell has enlarged her borders to accommodate those men and women who choose death. Gehenna/Hell is "the place or state of eternal punishment". Hell is a place of torment (Luke 16:28 is not a parable, but an actual account of the rich man in Hell!), but it isn't the worst of it. Hell, with all of its torment (along with its inhabitants) will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, which burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:14,15). Don't go to Hell!
We should ALWAYS reverence and honor God, most highly; there are also, times when fear--being afraid is called for, too. There are, indeed situations when we should be horrified and in terror of the mighty Hand of God; whenever we are guilty of harming His people, BE AFRAID! No child of God should ever be in a position to be afraid of God.
We think, many times, that as long as we haven't "done" anything, to physically or verbally harm someone, then we are fine; but Scripture does not bear this out. God looks at the heart--and the intents of the heart. We see from this passage, that sin begins in the heart: "But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." All sin (not only fornication and adulterous behaviors), has its ugly roots, in the heart. God isn't limited to the outside--which we clean and dress up, to present an image of righteousness; His vision penetrates every facade, and goes directly to the "heart of the matter". It is what is in our hearts that defiles us (Matthew 15:11). Jesus explained it best, when His disciples desired to understand. "And He said, 'Are you also even yet dull and ignorant [without understanding and unable to put things together]? Do you not see and understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the abdomen and so passes on into the place where discharges are deposited? But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him].'"
What resides in our hearts, will determine our destiny--eternally. If we are harming others, with our tongue, then be afraid. However, if our thoughts toward our brothers and sisters are deadly, be afraid, as well. In particular, we should be filled with terror, any time we attack those whom God has called and chosen--that's all who belong to the Body of Christ, for we are "ALL able ministers of the reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). We then should also be more afraid to attack those whom God has chosen to deliver the Word to His people, through specific ministries, (1 Chronicles 16:22). We don't want to be guilty of fighting against of God (Acts 5: 38,39). It is a dangerous thing to go against God--His plan, people, and purpose. Those whom God has chosen to deliver His Message, are most precious to Him (Romans 10:15, Luke 11:49,50). God does not forget slain prophets. He is filled with rage and vengeance against any who will harm His called ones.
His mercy is great; His wrath is, too! We must be certain that we do not place ourselves in a position to bring God's wrath upon us. Watch what you say--even watch the thoughts that you entertain--God see's all.
Cursing the people of God, is an invitation to misery and eternal damnation. God will remove the blesings from your life, until you are stripped, and shower those blessings on those you have made your enemy. Don't invite God to curse you or your land. Be vigilant in guarding your mind against evil thoughts, toward His own. Take heed, lest you find yourself in a position where no one will even be able to help you, in your crises--no matter how hard they try. Don't be guilty of breathing out "threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord".
Spread Love, Mercy and Grace.
There are times, when the "fear of God" has nothing to do with honor or reverence, but is directly related to the awesome power of God's wrath. For example: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell". The Amplified Bible illuminates this passage, as well, for us: "And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna)." Hell was not even made for man--but for the devil and his angels (Isaiah 5: 14,15; Matthew 25:40,41), but because of the wickedness of man, Hell has enlarged her borders to accommodate those men and women who choose death. Gehenna/Hell is "the place or state of eternal punishment". Hell is a place of torment (Luke 16:28 is not a parable, but an actual account of the rich man in Hell!), but it isn't the worst of it. Hell, with all of its torment (along with its inhabitants) will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, which burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:14,15). Don't go to Hell!
We should ALWAYS reverence and honor God, most highly; there are also, times when fear--being afraid is called for, too. There are, indeed situations when we should be horrified and in terror of the mighty Hand of God; whenever we are guilty of harming His people, BE AFRAID! No child of God should ever be in a position to be afraid of God.
We think, many times, that as long as we haven't "done" anything, to physically or verbally harm someone, then we are fine; but Scripture does not bear this out. God looks at the heart--and the intents of the heart. We see from this passage, that sin begins in the heart: "But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." All sin (not only fornication and adulterous behaviors), has its ugly roots, in the heart. God isn't limited to the outside--which we clean and dress up, to present an image of righteousness; His vision penetrates every facade, and goes directly to the "heart of the matter". It is what is in our hearts that defiles us (Matthew 15:11). Jesus explained it best, when His disciples desired to understand. "And He said, 'Are you also even yet dull and ignorant [without understanding and unable to put things together]? Do you not see and understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the abdomen and so passes on into the place where discharges are deposited? But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him].'"
What resides in our hearts, will determine our destiny--eternally. If we are harming others, with our tongue, then be afraid. However, if our thoughts toward our brothers and sisters are deadly, be afraid, as well. In particular, we should be filled with terror, any time we attack those whom God has called and chosen--that's all who belong to the Body of Christ, for we are "ALL able ministers of the reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). We then should also be more afraid to attack those whom God has chosen to deliver the Word to His people, through specific ministries, (1 Chronicles 16:22). We don't want to be guilty of fighting against of God (Acts 5: 38,39). It is a dangerous thing to go against God--His plan, people, and purpose. Those whom God has chosen to deliver His Message, are most precious to Him (Romans 10:15, Luke 11:49,50). God does not forget slain prophets. He is filled with rage and vengeance against any who will harm His called ones.
His mercy is great; His wrath is, too! We must be certain that we do not place ourselves in a position to bring God's wrath upon us. Watch what you say--even watch the thoughts that you entertain--God see's all.
Cursing the people of God, is an invitation to misery and eternal damnation. God will remove the blesings from your life, until you are stripped, and shower those blessings on those you have made your enemy. Don't invite God to curse you or your land. Be vigilant in guarding your mind against evil thoughts, toward His own. Take heed, lest you find yourself in a position where no one will even be able to help you, in your crises--no matter how hard they try. Don't be guilty of breathing out "threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord".
Spread Love, Mercy and Grace.
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