FEAR OF THE LORD

DEFINITION: Controlling awesome awareness of God's power & righteous judgment, w/wholesome dread of displeasing Him

IMPORTANCE OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

1. Overcoming sinful habits (Proverbs 16:6)

2. Beginning of knowledge/learning (Proverbs 1:7)

3. Beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)

4. Gives long life (Proverb 10:27)

5. Learn contentment (Proverbs 15:16)

6. Get riches, honor, and life (Proverbs 22:4)

7. Experience true worship (Psalm 5:7)

8. Have no wants (Psalm 34:9)

9. Experience God's salvation/deliverance (Psalm 85:9)

10. Receive daily provision (Psalm 111:5)

11. Have a satisfying life (Proverbs 19:23)

12. Know the secrets of the Lord (Psalm 25:14)

13. Experience God's goodness (Psalm 31:9)

14. Have constant protection (Psalm 33:18,19)

15. Be delivered from trouble (Psalm 34:7)

16. Given God's mercy (Psalm 103:11)

17. Have the Lord's pity (Psalm 103:13)

18. Bring delight to the Lord (Psalm 147:11)

THREE NATIONAL CONSEQENCES OF NOT FEARING THE LORD

1. Falls Victim to It's Own Sin (Jeremiah 2:19)

2. Legal System Will Become Unjust (Jeremiah 5:23-28)

3. Wealth Will Be Controlled by Other Nations (Deuteronomy 28:43,44)

EIGHT PERSONAL CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FEARING THE LORD

1. No restraint of evil (Proverbs 8:13; Romans 3:18)

2. No effective church discipline (Acts 5:5; I Timothy 5:20)

3. No guard against wrong church members (Acts 5:5)

4. No Biblical submission (Ephesians 5:21)

5. No maturity in salvation (Philippians 2:12,13)

6. No entering into God's rest (Hebrews 4:1)

7. No influence on the unsaved (I Peter 3:1,2)

8. No effective witnessing (I Peter 3:15)

SOURCE: II Corinthians 7:10,11

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