Americans Needs to Be More Fearful

A colleague shared with me this morning a tweet from a leader that hasn’t aged well. Who said it and what the person said isn’t important – but the mere fact the person said it and how they said it does matter.

It was pompous, arrogant, dismissive – and ultimately, wrong.

Social media provides a platform and megaphone for everyone, a development that has proven revelatory on many levels, but especially this one: America and Americans aren’t nearly as fearful as we should be.

By “fearful,” I’m referring to our biblical understanding of the term – i.e., reverent regard and respect, coupled with a spirit of awe and wonder of God. There is a humility encompassing it – a recognition we’re here by God’s grace and favor and living on His time and according to His will.

A recent survey on the average American’s fears finds that 60% of those asked are most afraid of corrupt government officials. Other fears include the economy (55%), deployment of nuclear weapons (53%), World War III (52%), sickness or death of a loved one (50%), and polluted drinking water (50%).

Fear of the Lord never made the list.

Instead, Americans act and live as if all we see is all there is, that we’re accountable to nobody, and that even if we don’t live forever, we’ll die trying. We also tend to behave as if there will be no Judgment Day, that consequences of sin, short of earthly inconvenience or punishment, are inconsequential or simply don’t exist.

In short, Americans don’t fear the Lord.

It was Solomon who stated, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). He also suggested fear can serve a practical benefit, writing, “The fear of the Lord prolongs days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened” (Proverbs 10:27).

Solomon also equates a lack of fear with a harshness and arrogance: “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity” (Proverbs 28:14).

Look across the world stage. Do you see many leaders who are “humble and contrite in spirit” and who “tremble” at the Lord’s Word (Isaiah 66:2)?

C.S. Lewis’ insight on humility is instructive and convicting. He wrote:

Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

The apostle Paul suggested this humility and deference are critically important in the life of a believer. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12).

Beyond the hot button issues that made the annual list of fears, humanity is also plagued by timeless worries that have burdened and buried people since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden.

We fear death but instead should fear not living the life God gifted us. We fear the mistakes of our past and the mysteries of the future – but are far less likely to fear not seeking God’s plans for us today. We fear losing favor with the elites, being labeled “haters” and “bigots.” Instead, a legitimate fear is not being faithful to God’s instructions.

Many of us fear the loss of our image and reputation. From facelifts to tummy tucks, over one million Americans had elective plastic surgery last year. We want to be somebody, but sadly, we so often don’t want to be in the body God made for us.

A fear of the Lord will motivate us to live responsibly, creatively and deliberately.

In the end, Charles Spurgeon summed it up concisely and brilliantly:

“He who fears God has nothing else to fear.”

Original image from Wikimedia.