To be "God-fearing" means to have a deep respect, reverence, and awe for God, which significantly influences how a person lives. It involves recognizing God's power, holiness, and authority, and responding with obedience, worship, and submission to His will. This fear is not about being scared in a servile way but is more about a respectful, reverential fear that includes awe and a desire to honor God by living according to His moral and spiritual laws
. Key aspects of being God-fearing include:
- Respecting and worshiping God with reverence and awe, acknowledging His greatness and majesty
- Obeying God's commandments and living a morally upright life as a response to that reverence
- Having a humble and contrite spirit, recognizing one's smallness before God's infinite majesty
- Being mindful of God's discipline and judgment, which motivates believers to avoid sin and seek to please God
- Developing intimacy with God, drawing near to Him, and maintaining a close relationship marked by obedience and honor for His word
In essence, being God-fearing means living with a profound awareness of God's presence and authority, which leads to a life characterized by respect, obedience, humility, and worship
