Man's entire duty to God is to fear Him and keep His commandments. And one of the most widespread errors in Christianity is the belief that the "Fear of the Lord" refers to "reverential awe." A study of the Hebrew and Greek words translated "fear" show that they mean "fear." And over the decades, I have been amazed at the number of people who hold positions of Christian leadership, yet do not fear the Lord.
First, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Proverbs 1:7 and of wisdom Psalm 111:10. A person who does not fear the Lord does not even have the beginning of knowledge or wisdom.
Second, you should be friends with people who fear the Lord Ps. 119:63 ¶ I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. Notice that obedience, the second part of the duty of man, is connected with the fear of the Lord.
Third, remember that people who don't like other Christians don't fear the Lord Ps 119:74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. People who go around criticizing Christians and demanding that you have nothing to do with them might be saved, but they do not fear the Lord.
Fourth, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil Proverbs 8:13 The verse goes on to explain that pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth are things that a person who fears the Lord hates.
Fifth, And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. Proverbs 16:6 A Christian who fears the Lord doesn't need a bunch of man-made rules; he'll depart from evil on his own.
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