BIBLE TEACHINGS WITH JOEL OSOBA

The “Fear of God” is not what you think it is.

A perfect example of a man who practiced the fear of God is Jesus, the Son of God himself. The fear of God is very simple to understand, though requires great discipline and help from God to practice.

The fear of God is revealed in how we treat others when we are falsely accused or persecuted and also how we treat the errors of others and the sins of others.

When we speak like we have never been forgiven by God, like God has never shown us his mercy in situations where we failed woefully, where God saved us from experiencing shame even when we deserved the shame, when we judge others cruelly and forget our own secret sins and things God is dealing with us to forsake, it is a sign that we really do not fear God who sees all our nakedness and to whom nothing is hidden.

Jesus with strong tears offered prayer unto God and he was heard because he feared God (Hebrew 5:7), Jesus showed us an example of how to approach God in prayers and live our lives daily so that our prayers are unhindered before God.

If the fear of God was what made Jesus’ prayer heard, then it is very necessary as people who seek answers to our prayers to understand the dimension of God’s fear that affects answers to our prayers.

Psalm 34:11-15 describes the fear of God and Peter the apostle also referenced it in 1 Peter 3:10-12. The fear of God is clearly described as; to avoid accusations of others, stay away from speaking any form of evil or ill about anyone deserving it or not, avoid gossip, avoid verbal altercations in situations of persecutions, avoid acrimonious speech against others whether they deserve it or not, others may speak but not you, avoid avenging yourself and paying evil for evil, keep your tongue from any form of speech that is venomous and laced with hate and pain especially when you feel you or another has been treated wrongly and unjustly by another; rather speak the reverse if you have to say something, speak blessings or keep quiet. This is how to practice the fear of God.

This is the fear of God that Jesus practiced, that made God hear Him, he didn’t lash out in anger, pain and hate when he was falsely accused, beaten stripped and crucified, 1 Peter 2:21-23 describes how Jesus conducted himself which is in tandem with what Psalm 34:11-15 describes, he suffered for us, he did no sin, no guile was found in his mouth, he didn’t revile in retaliation or threatened but committed himself to God who judged righteously.

So we are to follow in His steps on how to fear God. Because the result of Jesus’ action was that he was heard and also the description of the result of the fear of God is that God’s ears are open to the prayers of those who practice the fear of God.

In clear terms to fear God is to refrain from evil, meaning to cease from taking laws into my own hands and retaliating any wrong done towards me. The fear of God is to live in a consciousness of both the mercy and judgement of God, speaking and acting, holding in regard the times when God forgave me my own sins and showed me mercy I didn’t deserve; even when we will be demanding justice for moral and social vices we must not speak carelessly and loosely because in God’s court what we say shows the state of heart and becomes a bondage and block answers to prayers, this is an absolute truth.

When we practice the fear of God we act and speak with respect for God’s judgement and mercy and we turn to him for justice when we are pained and never be vengeful and vindictive, but bless those who curse us and pray for those who treat us despicably. This style of life makes us easily access the mercy of God on days when we need it most, it makes the court of heaven open its ears to our prayers.

So with a consciousness of the fear of God and how it affects the answers to prayers, we should be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath because the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.

Take time to study the reference scriptures.

Psalm 34:11-15

1 Peter 2:21-23

1 Peter 3:10-12.

Joel Osoba is a bible teacher and businessman focused on teaching and inspiring people to find, follow and fulfill God's plan for their life.

He believes that finding, following and fulfilling God's plans is the true meaning of success in life. Please read more of his epic pieces on - https://lifespringsweb.wordpress.com/