I once heard a seminary professor say that the most important battle being fought in Christianity today, is the battle of ideas. The enemy isn't targeting our bodies but our theology. If he can get us to think wrongly about God, he need not pursue us further. The word theology comes from two greek words: theos (God) and logos (word or thought). Basically, our thoughts about God. Just like the 'Inside Man', our enemy has been attempting to hideout in the cellars of our minds, trying to influence our theology.
One of his tactics is to twist scripture. By doing so, he can distort our understanding of God's character. The enemy isn't targeting our bodies but our theology. Example: If he can get us to think God does not accept and approve of us as we are, we could spend our lives working to gain His approval. But in actuality, we had it all along. He won the battle of ideas and caused a lot of damage in the process.
He has been using this tactic from the beginning. Speaking to Adam and Eve, “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?” He did this with Jesus, "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully." And he is trying to do this with us to this very day.
One of his tactics is to twist scripture. By doing so, he can distort our understanding of God's character. The enemy isn't targeting our bodies but our theology. Example: If he can get us to think God does not accept and approve of us as we are, we could spend our lives working to gain His approval. But in actuality, we had it all along. He won the battle of ideas and caused a lot of damage in the process.
He has been using this tactic from the beginning. Speaking to Adam and Eve, “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?” He did this with Jesus, "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully." And he is trying to do this with us to this very day.
Let's take, for example, the phrase ‘the fear of the Lord' used throughout the Old Testament. A phrase like this is any easy target. It can be twisted by the enemy to make us think our relationship with God should be based on fear.
But what does it really mean to 'fear of the Lord'? In order to get a more accurate answer, it's helpful to look at other (easily understood) parts of scripture. By doing so, we can more accurately define the term; interpreting the unclear by the clear. We'll do this by looking at two examples (extremely briefly): The life of Jesus and Psalm 112.
(These examples will not definitively prove this point but show the process of looking at 'unclear' scripture in light of the rest of the Bible to gain a more accurate theology on a certain subject. In this case: The 'Fear of the Lord' and how it relates to the 'Goodness of God').
Life of Jesus:
Much of scripture reveals God as immeasurably large, terrifyingly powerful, and unapproachably holy. Someone to be feared. But scripture also reveals God as loving, humble, compassionate, and near. This is displayed best in the life of Jesus.
Jesus, Almighty God in human flesh, showed God's heart for us by becoming a servant, eventually sacrificing Himself in our place, by none other than a crucifixion. Instead of demanding worship, He leaves us awestruck. Hence, we worship Him because we see His goodness not just His strength. Yes, God is holy (other, set apart) but Jesus showed us that He also wants to be near.
But why should all scripture be interpreted in light of Jesus? The book of Hebrews helps us with this, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets and in various ways but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son." So, if we want to know who God is and how to relate to Him, we must take into account all Jesus said and did because He was God. He is the clearest representation of God and as a rule of logic and common sense, we interpret the unclear with the clear. Jesus clarifies 'why' and 'how' we are to fear him.
Psalm 112:
If you want to know what it looks like to fear the Lord, read Psalm 112. It’s basically a list of the blessings for and actions of someone who fears the Lord. It is helpful to see the tone of how it was used in the Old Testament. God has not changed from the times of the OT and neither has it's meaning.
Like the Pharisees, we wrongly associate the ‘fear of the Lord’ with people who show deep reverence for or adhere to strict worship practices of God. But the psalmist goes in a different direction. He ties the phrase to something less expected; compassion. We read in verse 4 that the man who fears the Lord is “gracious and compassionate.” Again in verse 5, "It is well with the man (who fears the Lord) who is gracious and lends." Finally, in verse 9, “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor.”
The psalmist is making the connection between someone who fears the Lord and their actions toward the less fortunate. He is reminding us that fearing the Lord doesn’t only mean adherence to stringent worship practices and abstinence from sin, it also means having a heart of compassion. The OT has always taught that the fear of of the Lord is based on God's love and is displayed by those who have been changed by it.
Conclusion:
The enemy has been waging a war on our theology. Like the 'Inside Man' he tries to hide in the cellars of our minds, whispering lies about the goodness of God. He chooses to hide there because misunderstanding the foundational doctrines of God’s character can send a house toppling down. He does this mainly by twisting scripture and leaving us unclear about God's intentions toward us. But Jesus has helped us clarify God's intentions toward us and now we can interpret the rest of scripture in light of His love. By looking at the Bible as a whole we see, the battle between the 'Fear of the Lord and the Goodness of God' is no battle at all. In fact, we fear him because He has been good all aong.
“But with You there is forgiveness, that’s why we fear You.” -Ps. 130:4
“Aslan is a lion, the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” -C.S. Lewis -The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
(These examples will not definitively prove this point but show the process of looking at 'unclear' scripture in light of the rest of the Bible to gain a more accurate theology on a certain subject. In this case: The 'Fear of the Lord' and how it relates to the 'Goodness of God').
Much of scripture reveals God as immeasurably large, terrifyingly powerful, and unapproachably holy. Someone to be feared. But scripture also reveals God as loving, humble, compassionate, and near. This is displayed best in the life of Jesus.
Jesus, Almighty God in human flesh, showed God's heart for us by becoming a servant, eventually sacrificing Himself in our place, by none other than a crucifixion. Instead of demanding worship, He leaves us awestruck. Hence, we worship Him because we see His goodness not just His strength. Yes, God is holy (other, set apart) but Jesus showed us that He also wants to be near.
But why should all scripture be interpreted in light of Jesus? The book of Hebrews helps us with this, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets and in various ways but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son." So, if we want to know who God is and how to relate to Him, we must take into account all Jesus said and did because He was God. He is the clearest representation of God and as a rule of logic and common sense, we interpret the unclear with the clear. Jesus clarifies 'why' and 'how' we are to fear him.
Psalm 112:
Conclusion:
The enemy has been waging a war on our theology. Like the 'Inside Man' he tries to hide in the cellars of our minds, whispering lies about the goodness of God. He chooses to hide there because misunderstanding the foundational doctrines of God’s character can send a house toppling down. He does this mainly by twisting scripture and leaving us unclear about God's intentions toward us. But Jesus has helped us clarify God's intentions toward us and now we can interpret the rest of scripture in light of His love. By looking at the Bible as a whole we see, the battle between the 'Fear of the Lord and the Goodness of God' is no battle at all. In fact, we fear him because He has been good all aong.
An Idea:
It's been said that ‘good deeds’ open the door for the ‘good news.’ “When they see your good deeds they will glorify Your Father Who is in heaven.” Now more than ever, this world needs to see the the heart of God on display. It’s our turn to show the world what fearing God is all about. So let's continue to graciously lend to those who have need. Let's continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
An Idea:
It's been said that ‘good deeds’ open the door for the ‘good news.’ “When they see your good deeds they will glorify Your Father Who is in heaven.” Now more than ever, this world needs to see the the heart of God on display. It’s our turn to show the world what fearing God is all about. So let's continue to graciously lend to those who have need. Let's continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
A Prayer:
"1 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. 7 He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear, Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. 9 He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be vexed, He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked will perish."
-Psalm 112
A Prayer:
Lord, remind us that fearing You is ultimately about having a heart like yours. This is what happens when we fear You: our reverence results in compassion for those around us. Our desire to be holy gives birth to actions of sacrifice to help those in need. Amen.
"1 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. 7 He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear, Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. 9 He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be vexed, He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked will perish."
-Psalm 112
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