How to Cultivate Your Fear of God

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

On Monday’s post, we looked at four signs that we fear man more than we fear God. Today, we’ll look at four ways we can cultivate our all important fear of God:

1. Get some perspective. Here’s what Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Man is weak and powerless compared to the awesome power of the Creator of the Universe. Remember that, and fear the right person.

2. Spend time in the Word before you spend time in social media. It’s too easy for us to roll over and grab our phones first thing in the morning, allowing social media to be the first thing to enter our minds instead of God’s Word. To cultivate the fear of God, make sure that God’s Word is the first thing that enters your mind each morning. “How can you believe since you accept praise from one another but do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” John 5:44

3. Realize that fearing God leads to the greatest blessing. God doesn’t want you to fear Him because He wants to punish you or ruin your life. He wants you to fear Him so that He can bless you. “Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
 who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor;
 blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
 within your house; 
your children will be like olive shoots
 around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing
 for the man who fears the Lord.” Psalm 128:1-4

4. Be intentional about making a disciple this week. As Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, obedience is always tied to true fear of God. At the end of the day, Christ’s command to make disciples still remains our marching orders. Do you truly want to fear God? Do what he says. Be intentional about making a disciple this week. “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19

QUESTION: How else can you cultivate your fear of God?