A. The Fear of God: Servile Fear

1. The Characteristics

a. It is sinful: Gen. 1:26-31, Eph. 4:24, Heb. 5:7

b. It drives a person away from God: Gen. 3:8-10

c. It slanders God’s character: Matt. 25:24-26

d. It creates spiritual bondage: 1 John 4:1

2. The Causes

a. God’s Holy Law: Exodus 20:18-21, Acts 24:25, Rom. 8:15

b. Spiritual Warfare: Gal. 5:1, Gal. 5:7, 2 Cor. 11:3, Rev. 12:10

c. Personal Temperaments: 2 Timothy 1:7

B. The Fear of God: Filial Fear

SINCLAIR FERGUSON, “It is that indefinable mixture of
reverence and pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts
when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.
It is a love for God which is so great that we would be
ashamed to do anything which would displease or grieve
Him, and makes us happiest when we are doing what
pleases Him.”

WILLIAM BRAKEL, “Filial fear is a holy inclination of the
heart, generated by God in the hearts of His children,
whereby they, out of reverence for God, take careful pains
not to displease God, and earnestly endeavor to please
Him in all things.”

1. What filial fear creates in the believer

a. Creates a ___________ to __________ God
John 17:1-3, Psalm 25:12-14, Proverbs 3:32

b. Creates a ______________ to __________ God
Job 1:1, Psalm 45:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:19

c. Creates a ___________ to _____________ God
Hebrews 12:28-29