https://cityrevivalagchurch.org/ noted that “The fear of God is so important, that the phrase “Fear of the Lord” appears 27 times in the Bible, “Fear of God” appears 8 times, “Fear Him” (concerning God) appears 23 times, “Fear the Lord” appears 33 times, “Fear God” appears 17 times, “Feared God” appears 5 times, “Feared the Lord” appears 10 times.”
Does God want us to obey because we love Him? Yes!!! But there is one massive problem. For many moons, I loved my habit more than I loved Him, (At least part of the time). But we have a huge problem “Remembering that we love Him.” God absolutely knows that most people are like that. That is why the Bible has plan B. Plan B is to fear the Lord.
Background: I followed the Bible’s way of raising my kids. When they disobeyed they got swatted. If they pouted about that, they got swatted again (They learned really fast). Instead, parents use time out. Time out is a method you should use if you want your kids mad at you. If you want them testing you “All the time.” They are not afraid of time-out. You will have a constant fight with your child if you use time-out.
My kids were “always” happy. Yes, they had an occasional minute where they had pain, but after that 1 minute, they got a hug and were happy again. Did I mention “always” happy?
Last weekend I was around a “time-out” kid who pouted and cried for 30 minutes when he was only allowed to eat 6 chocolates instead of the 20 he wanted.
God knows we will be unhappy if we do things our way. If we study these 100-plus verses on the fear of the Lord we can be happy. Why? Because if we pound the right verses into us, we “will” pound that sin right out of us.
Deuteronomy 10:12 ESV: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Today, consider memorizing this great verse and then strive to use the fear of the Lord as a great help for quitting.