I have been preaching for a few years. But I noticed that each time I have the privilege to mount the stage, there’s always this fear that grips my heart. I got bothered about it for a while until God enlightened me that this fear is normal and expected. It was a kind of the fear of the Lord.
Friend, you need to live in the balance of the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit if you would fulfil destiny safely (Acts 9:31). The fear of the Lord is not the same as the fear that is from the devil (2 Timothy 1:7). The fear of the Lord talks about a reverential fear. One that causes you to honour and respect God.
The fear of the Lord would cause you to have the intimacy with God that breeds respect and not the familiarity that breeds contempt (Malachi 1:6). If you are lacking in the fear of God, you cannot walk with Him correctly; you would be treading on zones of familiarity and disrespect for the Holy God and Holy things of God.
A new testament minister must help God’s people to differentiate between what is Holy and what is common; not to behave anyhow (1 Samuel 21:4-5). You cannot have an authentic ministry as a Pastor if you have not known or understood the terror of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11).
God makes His home among the ones who fear Him (Psalms 25:14, Isaiah 33:6, 66:2). It is the knowledge of the Fear of God that helps you to not only see God as the One who forgives your sins but also as the One whose eyes is so pure that He cannot behold iniquity (Psalms 36:1, Habakkuk 1:13).
The Fear of God would help you to see sin, not as a question of morality or punishment, but in the light of how God feels. This was what marked Joseph out in his day. He couldn’t sleep with Potiphar’s wife not only because of morality but for the Fear of the Lord (Genesis 39:9). You cannot do less.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria