Post 6 – The Fear of the Lord Series
⚠️ Introduction: When Fear Fades, Collapse Comes
Reverence is not optional—it is the anchor of obedience. When we lose the fear of the Lord, we don’t become spiritually neutral; we become spiritually reckless. The absence of awe is never harmless. It is the birthplace of pride, disobedience, rebellion, and ruin.
Today, we live in a world that laughs at judgment, trivializes holiness, and celebrates self. And in the church, when reverence for God is replaced with comfort, convenience, or cultural relevance, the result is predictable: spiritual fallout. This is not a new danger. It happened before—to a king named Saul.
👑 Case Study: King Saul – The Crown Without the Fear
Saul was chosen by God, anointed by Samuel, and celebrated by Israel. He had position. He had power. But he lacked one thing that matters most: holy fear. And because of that, everything fell apart.
1 Samuel 13:13–14 (ESV):
“And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God… for then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.’”
Saul was told to wait for Samuel before offering sacrifice. But the pressure of the people, the fear of delay, and his desire to appear spiritual pushed him into disobedience. He took on priestly duties that weren’t his. Why? Because fear of man had replaced fear of God.
1 Samuel 15:24 (ESV):
“Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord… because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.’”
That confession came too late. Saul’s heart had already been revealed. His leadership became erratic. His conscience dulled. He grasped for appearances while forfeiting anointing. And when Samuel turned to leave him, Saul grabbed his robe in desperation. It tore—and with it, the kingdom.
📉 Symptoms of a Life (or Church) That Has Forgotten Fear
- Selective Obedience: Keeping part of God’s command but excusing the rest (1 Samuel 15:9)
- Religious Substitution: Thinking sacrifice can replace obedience (1 Samuel 15:22)
- Fear of Man: Letting public pressure override spiritual conviction
- Insecurity Masquerading as Leadership: Making hasty decisions without seeking God
- Excuse-Making: Blaming others instead of repenting before God
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV):
“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’”
This verse is a wake-up call for all of us. Church attendance, giving, serving—all are good. But if they replace obedience, they become empty gestures. God isn’t looking for performance. He wants reverence. He wants submission. He wants obedience rooted in awe.
🧍♂️ When Reverence is Lost, Leadership is Dangerous
Saul’s reign shows us what happens when leaders hold office without humility. When a heart is hardened by pride, and God’s word becomes negotiable, people get hurt. Israel suffered under Saul. His disobedience opened doors to defeat, witchcraft, and suicide.
1 Chronicles 10:13 (ESV):
“So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord… and did not seek guidance from the Lord.”
The crown didn’t protect him. His title didn’t save him. Reverence was the one thing that could have preserved his calling. And without it, Saul’s story ends in tragedy.
🔗 New Testament Echoes
Romans 3:18 (ESV):
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Paul described a world spiraling into sin—and this was the root. When reverence is gone, rebellion runs free. Paul says humanity’s downward spiral begins with one thing: we forget how holy God is.
Hebrews 10:26–27, 31 (ESV):
“If we go on sinning deliberately… there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins… It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Casual sin is a symptom of forgotten fear. But the writer of Hebrews reminds us: God is still holy. Grace does not cancel reverence—it requires it. God is still a consuming fire.
🌌 Eternal Perspective – All Will Fear Eventually
Revelation 15:4 (ESV):
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy.”
Everyone will fear God—either now in surrender, or later in judgment. Reverence in this life is our preparation for eternal worship. To live without fear is to live unprepared for the throne.
📖 Summary Table – What Happens When Fear is Forgotten
| Consequence | Biblical Illustration | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Obedience | Saul spares Amalekite king & livestock | 1 Samuel 15:9 |
| People over God | Saul fears their opinion more than God’s word | 1 Samuel 15:24 |
| Loss of Authority | God removes the kingdom | 1 Samuel 13:14 |
| Spiritual Darkness | Saul seeks a medium instead of the Lord | 1 Samuel 28:7 |
| Tragic End | Saul falls on his sword | 1 Chronicles 10:13–14 |
🧠 Memory Aid: No Fear, No Future
If we forget to fear God, we forfeit His guidance, His blessing, and eventually His intervention. Reverence is not weakness—it is wisdom. No fear? No future.
🛠 Life Application
- 🧎 Confess areas where you’ve grown casual with God’s commands.
- 📖 Return to obedience that isn’t partial or pressured, but pure.
- 🎯 Choose to fear God more than you fear people or failure.
- 🚫 Don’t substitute religious activity for surrendered obedience.
- 🙏 Ask God to restore fear that leads to wisdom, worship, and walk.
💬 Reflection Question
Am I walking in the fear of the Lord—or excusing behaviors that reveal I’ve forgotten who He is?
📣 Shareable Quote
“The absence of fear does not mean freedom—it means fallout. The fear of the Lord is the boundary of blessing.” — Barry Coker
Next in the Series: The Final Fear – Facing God at the End of All Things – Featuring John on Patmos and the angelic call to all creation: ‘Fear God and give Him glory.’
