Throughout scripture, we are told to fear God. Over 140 references throughout scripture talk about the fear of God. Even Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). It is clear that humanity has been told to fear God. However, humanity does not even come close to understanding what that means. We walk around thinking that we know better than God. We consider our thoughts higher than His, ignoring that He is the omnipotent, all-powerful Creator. How arrogant are we that we would live in direct opposition to Him?
I am reminded of the Israelites when they were led out of Egypt to the promised land. They were shown wonders and miracles that I could only dream of witnessing. They saw a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of cloud during the day, both containing the presence of God. They witnessed manna from Heaven, water from a rock, and many other great miracles. However, they constantly grumbled, complained, and blamed God for their misery. Even after watching some of their people get swallowed up by the Earth after disobeying God, they still chose to complain and blame God for their misery. Their arrogance toward God kept an entire generation from entering the promised land.
There was no fear of God within the Israelites. I would suggest that the only person who truly feared God was Moses. He saw the burning bush, spoke with God on Mount Sinai, and was used to proclaim the will of God to the people. Moses had first-hand knowledge of the power of God. He knew what he was truly capable of. It was he who was changed by standing in the presence of God. However, near the end of his time, he allowed the complaints and selfishness of the Israelite people to anger him so much (which I honestly don’t blame him) that he disobeyed God, and rather than speaking to the stone as he was commanded, he struck the stone. What was his consequence for disobeying God, even though he had put up with the selfish, entitled nation for over 50 years? He was not allowed to enter the promised land. The promise of a land flowing with milk and honey was taken from him because of one disobedient act.
Some may say that God is unjust because of this act. I say we should pay attention to the consequences of what one disobedient act against God can bring. Seeing that God doesn’t mess around should bring a sense of humility inside us all. God is not unjust! We are responsible for our actions and choices. If we allow ourselves to be swayed by the actions and words of others, we are still responsible for what we do. Consider the following story from the Book of Acts:
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.” (Acts 5:1-11)
Did you notice the church’s reaction to what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? “Great fear came over the whole church.” Both Ananias and Sapphira decided to claim that they sold their land for a specific price, and what they were giving to the church was the total price of what they sold their land for. Instead, they sold it for much more than they told Peter and the Apostles and tried to keep some for themselves. In other words, they were trying to cheat God. What was the consequence? Immediate death! The people who witnessed and heard what had happened were filled with fear.
What makes us think we are above God and can outthink Him? He is GOD, and we are not. He created us – not the other way around. Humanity walks around with their nose to the sky, thinking that they know better and can do better than God. Some even choose to consider themselves so much higher than God that they refuse to believe in His existence. How arrogant are we!
Throughout scripture, there are only two groups that genuinely feared God—the prophets, who were used by God, and the demons. The prophets warned of God’s wrath on those who disobeyed or did not follow His commands. God performed many miracles through them, and even one never saw death but was taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire. However, none of that was enough to change the arrogance of humanity to humble themselves before God. The other group who truly fears God and knows what He is capable of are the demons. Listen to how the demons responded when Christ came near them:
“Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” (Mark 3:11)
“Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me! And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” Jesus gave them permission.” (Mark 5:6-7,10-13a)
“Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.” (Luke 3:34-35)
“Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.” (Luke 4:41)
Demons were and are terrified of Jesus Christ. They know His power and what He is capable of. They understand Him better than we do. The Apostle James said, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19). Instead of watching and learning from the interactions between the demons and Jesus Christ, we continue to walk around arrogantly without any real fear of Jesus Christ and YHWH.
We preach that Jesus Christ is all about love and acceptance. Not only is this a half-truth, as Christ never has and will never accept the sin we choose to live in, but He specifically warned us of the condemnation we have placed on ourselves due to our selfishness, pride, and arrogance. We like to quote John 3:16, but we can’t just stop at one verse. Look at what it says after John 3:16:
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:17-21)
John the Baptist said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” How much more do we need to truly understand that the demise and downfall of nations, societies, families, and ourselves are all due to our arrogance and lack of fear and obedience? Jesus Christ came as an olive branch between YHWH and humanity. Those who turn to Jesus, repent of their sins, take up their cross, deny themselves, and follow in obedience will have an abundant life and life everlasting. To those who choose arrogance and selfishness, condemnation and wrath are upon them.
Let us repent of our arrogance and realize the true awesomeness and power of Jesus Christ and YHWH. Let us stop thinking that our ways are higher or better than His. Let us bow down before the Lord our God our Maker and humble ourselves before His throne. Let us remove the sin that is destroying us, and let us turn to the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.
Lord, I pray that the demons of arrogance and pride be bound and removed from the hearts of humanity. I pray that we will turn our eyes to you, humble ourselves before your awesome power, and live in obedience to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray this prayer today! Amen.
Written by Kristopher Wallaert
You can find out more about Kristopher at Selfless-Leadership.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Grandfather Magazine
Featured Image by Living Frames from Pixabay
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