OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS 7- FEAR THE LORD

A minister of the gospel fell into sin and was sentenced to some years of  imprisonment. Out of love and concern, even though a lot of people abandoned him, another minister went to visit him in prison. 

While they had some time to chat, the minister asked: “At what point did you stop loving God that made you fall into this situation?” The imprisoned minister responded and said, “I never stopped loving God”. The visiting minister was a bit puzzled comparing his answer and his current state. 

The imprisoned minister then said, “I never stopped loving God. I only stopped fearing Him”. 

Listen beloved, I know that you love God but the question is do you fear God also? The Love of God is a blessing. It gives us access to the Lord but the fear of God teaches us not to cross the line. 

The fear of the Lord is what makes you depart from evil. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:7 NKJV

We saw this example in the life of Joseph when he was tempted by Mrs. Potiphar. Joseph mentioned that he would not do that evil. 

There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9 NKJV

He saw sin as great wickedness. It helped him to run from all appearances of evil. 

Whatever you listen to will shape your life and decisions. Doctrine is the regulator of character. I know people who traced their misbehaviour and sinful patterns to teachings that spoke so much about the love of the Lord and were mute about the fear of the Lord. They began to descend into a slope that led them into a mess. Doctrine is the regulator of character. 

We must not travel in two extremes. You cannot fear the Lord that it becomes a bondage that keeps you from loving God. You cannot also love the Lord so much that it becomes a licence that makes you forget that there is fear of the Lord. It takes a combination of both the love of God and the fear of the Lord to maintain a solid Christian walk. 

Once the fear of the Lord is lacking, you will deviate eventually. 

To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel,

II Kings 17:34 NKJV

I know you love God but do you fear the Lord also? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wise living. People who end up failing morally begin by walking away from the covering of the fear of the Lord. 

Be watchful. Where is your reverence? Where is your awe? Where is your submission to His will? Do not get carried away. You may end up falling away. 

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa