In Psalm 34, David says, “Listen to me, my children, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” My husband several weeks ago pointed out this verse, and it’s been burning a hole in my head since then. How do I teach it? What do I say?
Perhaps if you’re like me, you might have assumed that the fear of the Lord is merely an emotion that is caught, not taught. I think this is why the questions have persisted with a measure of delight in a new thought: fear of God is something to teach deliberately, and it’s something that will benefit a child who is not saved.
Solomon says “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” If the fear of the Lord is indeed foundational to understanding salvation, then it is an ideal lesson for children who are not saved, or who do not yet evidence the fruit of the spirit in their lives.
So, O wise parent that you are, how do you teach the fear of the Lord? Do you try to scare them? Show them how big God is? What passages would you read to them? And how do you know that they have the fear of the Lord?
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