Proverbs 18:13

“He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.”

Q: Why is it important to listen before we speak?

Being a good listener shows love and grace to those who are speaking. It’s a reflection of our relationship with the Lord and our humility.

Psalm 33:8

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”

Q: What do you think the fear of the Lord is? And why do you think the Psalmist says, “Let all the earth fear the Lord?”

The fear of the Lord refers to the respect, awe, and submission we should have for God. The whole earth should fear Him because He created it and is sovereign over it.

Picture

Luke 18:11-13 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’

Q: Looking at how the Pharisee prayed versus how the tax collector prayed, how should we approach God in reverent fear when praying?

The Pharisee prayed in pride thanking God that he was not like the tax collector. The tax collector was too afraid and ashamed to even look towards God. We should take a note from the tax collector and come humbled for Christ knowing that we have not done enough to earn His love.

Paul

2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Q: What does “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” look like according to this passage? What does it look like in your life?

God calls on us to cleanse ourselves and seek the holiness of God motivated by awe and respect that He deserves. I can do this by repenting of my sins and striving to live a life of obedience to Him.

Peter

1 Peter 1:17-19 – “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

Q: Why should we have a reverent fear of the Lord while on earth?

While on earth, we should be in awe of the Lord for how He has redeemed us with His blood and not with things of this world.

APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?

LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?