What Does It Mean to Fear God?
Reverent awe, not cringing terror — the beginning of wisdom.
The fear of God is not cringing terror but reverent awe — taking God seriously as holy, mighty, and good. Scripture calls it the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Awe, not terror
To fear God is to hold him in the highest reverence — awe before his holiness, respect for his power, and glad submission to his authority. For his children, this fear is not at odds with love; it is love's reverence, the wonder of a child before a great and good Father.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
The beginning of wisdom
The fear of the LORD is where true knowledge and wisdom start — taking God seriously enough to order your whole life around him. It brings not dread but blessing, security, and the friendship of God.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him.
Quick answers
- Does 'fear God' mean being afraid of him?
- For believers, it means reverent awe rather than terror. Scripture also says God's perfect love casts out fear; we come to him as a beloved Father, yet never treat him casually.
- Why is the fear of God the beginning of wisdom?
- Because taking God seriously reorients everything — it's the foundation for seeing life, morality, and ourselves rightly. Without reverence for God, we misjudge everything else.
- How do I grow in the fear of the Lord?
- By meditating on who God is in Scripture — his holiness, power, and goodness — and letting that shape how you live. Awe grows as our vision of God grows.
