what does it mean to fear god

The concept of fearing God can be interpreted in different ways depending on ones religious beliefs. In general, the fear of God refers to a sense of awe, reverence, and submission to a deity. For people subscribing to popular monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, fearing God can mean fearing divine judgment or Hell. However, for believers, the fear of God is more about having a deep respect for God, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshiping Him in awe. It is not about being scared of God, but rather having a joyful awareness of His grandeur and a grateful realization that only in Him do our hearts find true peace. The fear of God is also associated with the idea of standing in awe of His holiness, giving Him complete reverence, and honoring Him as the God of great glory, majesty, purity, and power. In essence, fearing God means having a humble and exalted view of Him, recognizing His authority and power, and turning away from sin. It is a form of mutual respect that leads us to gain knowledge from Him and to treat others with kindness.