The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so writes the wise man of Proverbs. A healthy fear of God is Scriptural. A "fear" of God is best described as a reverence. God is to be revered for who He is. Many times a person's level of understanding of God will determine their level of respect and awe of God.
Notice the word of the Lord as He comments on their fear.
Isaiah 29:13 ESV
And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
Their fear did not come as a result of a respect for God, rather their "fear of me is a commandment taught by men."
Some have come to the place that their respect, reverence, and awe of God is based on a man-made commandment and not out of humility before Him.
Man may have the ability to persuade others to fear God based on a man-made commandment. This seems to produces hypocrisy and empty Christianity.
But a genuine and true fear of the Lord is born out of revelation of the greatness of God.
David wrote in Psalms 8 - "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth... what is man that thou art mindful of him."
David's fear came not from man's word, but from a healthy reverence for the King of glory.
Fear God for who He is and not based on the commandment of men!
