On the Fear of God
By Wanderer Margarita
Desiring to offer you a soul-benefiting discourse, I must say that I do this not because I am confident in my own knowledge or strength, but only because you have asked me to, and I rely on the mercy of God. For the Lord Himself said, “Open your mouth, and I will fill it.” When we begin to speak the word of God out of love, we trust that it is not our own words we speak, but those that the Lord places in our hearts. Let us begin this discourse with these words: the wise Solomon said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
In his youth, when Solomon ascended the throne after his father, he did not ask the Lord God for glory, honor, or wealth, but for wisdom. And the Lord granted him such wisdom that he became renowned for all ages, so much so that people came from other lands to hear him. In his sayings and writings, he recorded these words for the memory of humankind: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
What does the fear of the Lord mean, and what is wisdom? Wisdom is not merely the knowledge of many external arts, but the understanding and fulfillment of God’s word. And what is the word of God? It is the commandments of God, His law. We are all called to keep and fulfill God’s law. What does it consist of? Even in the Old Testament, the Lord gave commandments to the people of Israel throughMoses, recorded in Deuteronomy. The foremost commandment given by the Lord to His people is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the kind of love we must have for God—so that all our thoughts, feelings, and human strength are directed toward Him.
And further, it says: “These words, which I command you today, shall be in your heart and in your soul. You shall teach them diligently to your children, speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, and let them be as frontlets between your eyes. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” What does this mean? It means that whatever we begin to do, whatever we think or undertake, we must first consider God and whether our actions or endeavors are pleasing to Him. When you set out to go somewhere, as it is said, “Write the name of God on your gates,” you must remember the Lord: Are my ways righteous? Are they pleasing to God? This is what it means to write on the gates.
Further, it warns: “Fear the Lord your God, serve Him alone, and cling to Him.” We should not fear people or any earthly authority, but fear the Lord God and serve only Him. When we serve the Lord, everything else will follow as an example. Our daily affairs will proceed in a godly manner, and everything will move forward rightly. The Lord also warns: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” What does this mean? In our present life, we often see people say, “I’ll live as I please until old age, and then I’ll go on pilgrimages and pray to God, but for now, I want to enjoy life.” But who can guarantee they will live to old age? Don’t we see accidents happen on the road, or sudden deaths, strokes, or hemorrhages that take even the young? Since no one can be certain of living to the next day, we must be ready every day to fulfill God’s will and not test the Lord.
It further says: “Keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His statutes, and His decrees, which He has commanded you. Do what is just and good in the sight of the Lord your God, that it may be well with you.” There is one type of scripture that simply narrates what was, what is, and what exists—it requires only knowledge and belief. For example, scripture says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” We must simply believe this. But another type of scripture commands us, and here we must act. Some scriptures forbid certain actions, protecting us from transgressions. These commandments and statutes of God must be followed without fail. Why? Because “the Lord your God is a jealous God, lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you and destroy you from the face of the earth.” If we provoke the Lord with our deeds or disobedience to His statutes and commandments, He may become angry and destroy us from the earth, sending the angel of death to strike us suddenly. And what follows such suddenness if we live unlawfully? Eternal perdition.
This is from the Old Testament, but there are other commandments we must know. The Ten Commandments follow: “You shall not make for yourself an idol or worship them. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” People often say, “Oh, Lord,” when something happens—this is taking God’s name in vain. God’s name should be invoked in prayer or in giving thanks and glorifying Him, not used idly. “Observe the Sabbath day.” Work six days, but the seventh is for the Lord. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was celebrated; now, in its place, Sunday is observed. All true believers are obligated to follow this commandment and honor the Lord’s Day. “Honor your father and mother.” This commandment, unchanged from the Old Testament to the New, remains essential. “You shall not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.” These are the core Old Testament commandments. Additionally, in Leviticus, it says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” which was also in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, Christ the Savior did not abolish the Old Testament commandments but perfected them, giving even stricter guidelines for human conduct. He calls all true believers to humility. This teaching is proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount, which remains a guide for all who wish to live according to Christ. He says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What poverty does Christ preach here? Spiritual humility. A person must have humility and contrition in their soul—this is what it means to be poor in spirit. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We should not mourn over earthly losses or troubles but weep over the danger of losing our soul to sin. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness speaks for itself—it is pleasing to all. A meek, patient, and gentle person is always regarded well by others. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” We must hunger and thirst for righteousness, which encompasses all virtue and truth. Christ is righteousness and truth, and in Him is all virtue. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” This is clear: to be merciful to all, and in return, we will be shown mercy. Mercy is a broad concept. Some think mercy means giving alms, but it also includes serving others or comforting someone in sorrow with words, which can be even more valuable. When someone is in distress, they often need not money but a comforting word or support in their struggle. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” What is a pure heart? A heart free from deceit, malice, or ill will toward others. This is not the physical heart, which may be frail, but the heart of the soul, which must be pure. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Christ Himself set the example of peacemaking. For He reconciled the heavenly with the earthly by suffering on the cross, reconciling humanity with God the Father. Therefore, all those who can reconcile opposing sides are likened to the Son of God. Throughout all ages of Christianity, this virtue has been necessary and needed. Often, people suddenly quarrel or fall out over something trivial. Reconciling is difficult for them. Why is it difficult? Because it requires humility. And at the crucial moment, neither party finds the words to humble themselves. But then a third person comes, speaks to one, then to the other, and easily reconciles them, bringing them together. For this, they are called a son of God, or rather, likened to one.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those persecuted for righteousness, for good deeds, for virtue, for truth, for faith in Christ—all who are persecuted and exiled—are blessed. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” If people slander you for Christ’s sake, call you parasites or obscurantists, as they have called us, those who endure all this for Christ, for the sake of God’s name, are blessed. “Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
Christ the Savior continues His teaching in this manner. Addressing those who already believe, He says, “You are the salt of the earth.” What does salt mean? Just as food spoils without salt, so too the world would spoil without people who hold fast to the core of faith. As He said of the Apostle Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church.” Peter’s faith and confession are the rock, the foundation. Similarly, without this salt, this foundation of the Church, where faith is not firmly preserved, everything would spoil. This is why our true Christian faith endures to this day—it has preserved this salt, love, and truth.
He further says, “You are the light of the world.” Why the light of the world? The divine scriptures bring light to all who read and study them. As Christ the Savior said, “Search the scriptures, for in them you will find eternal life.” Without the scriptures, true faith cannot be known. True faith is not known through miracles but through the scriptures. Thus, those who read and study the divine scriptures are considered to walk in the light. Those who do not read or study the scriptures, nor live by them, walk in darkness. And those who walk in darkness inevitably stumble and fall.
If we, who bear the truth, are the light, we must carry this light to others—to our surroundings, to our Christian brethren. We must shine in such a way that through us, God’s name is not blasphemed but glorified. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is how the light of Christians shines.
He continues, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” The scribes and Pharisees fulfilled the law given through Moses perfectly. They gave a tenth of their possessions as required, fasted twice a week, observed the Sabbath, kept all the feasts, and attended all gatherings meticulously. If we, as Christians, do not surpass their righteousness, Christ warns that we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So, we must surpass them in something greater. In what? Above all, in love. Christ the Savior gave a new commandment: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This love perfects the entire law. How? Because both the Old and New Testaments rest on this commandment. If we love one another, we will endure all things, bear all things, be meek, and not covet what belongs to our neighbor.
As Christ further teaches, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” We must not judge anyone. When we see something unrighteous in another person, we should notice it but not condemn them. Instead, we should take it as a lesson for ourselves: “This is not good, so I should not do it.” We condemn the act, not the person. The act is wrong, so we should not follow it but avoid it. If we fail to see another’s faults, we are blind, which is also bad. We must see the fault but not judge the person. We must hate the sin, not the sinner. If possible, we should approach and correct them. This, too, is love—the highest form of love. For it is said, if we rebuke someone and they listen, we have gained a brother. If they do not listen, we should try again with others’ help. If they still refuse, Christ instructs to “tell it to the church.” What does this mean? To the church’s leadership. And if they do not listen even to them, Christ says, “Let them be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” In other words, if someone refuses to acknowledge their faults or abandon vices that scandalize others, we should avoid fellowship with them.
Christ the Savior said much more that is invaluable for guiding Christianity. Through all this, Christ’s Church lives to this day, exists, and preserves Christ’s truth. Those who fulfill these commandments and God’s will possess the fear of God. What is the fear of God? It is not about fearing God as one might fear a strict authority. No. It is said, “Fear the Lord, all you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” The saints of God are His friends, even called His sons. Do they fear God in that sense? No. The fear we must have is the fear of offending God with any unworthy action. That is the fear we should have.
Consider earthly love: when people love each other, they strive to please, anticipate, and even surpass the desires of their beloved, doing something pleasant for them. Likewise, toward God, we should strive to do as much as possible to please Him—not hypocritically, not for show before others, but before God, the Knower of hearts, who sees what is in our souls and hearts. Before people, we may appear good while being rotten inside. Thus, it is said, “Do not be hypocrites.” We must always speak the truth, not act with hypocrisy.
Let us examine ourselves. Having heard the commandments of the Old and New Testaments, let us listen to our conscience. What does it tell us? Are we truly living according to these commandments, fulfilling them all? If we do, it will lead us to perfection and the hope of future blessedness. But if our conscience convicts us, we must strive to correct our lives so they align with God’s commandments. By our example, we will also teach those around us to do the same. For those living in the world with children, they must teach them through their example and by reading the divine scriptures. They must teach the fear of God and His commandments, so children learn from a young age to love and fear God. How do we fear Him? By obeying His law—that is what it means to fear God, to not disobey.
Just as a son fears his father, knowing disobedience brings punishment, so too must we show obedience to God. If parents love their children, they must remember that failing to raise them in godliness could lead to their children facing eternal punishment. How pitiful that would be! Keeping this in mind, all parents must commit to raising their children from a young age in the fear of God and obedience to His commandments. Those who fail to do so take on great responsibility before God for neglecting their children’s upbringing.
Now, the question is: How is the fear of God acquired? We all desire to have the fear of God to fully obey His commandments. The holy father Abba Dorotheus says: A person acquires the fear of God if they keep the memory of death and the memory of torments. We must remember death, for no one on earth escapes this threshold. The hour will come when everyone must die—without exception. No matter how wealthy or powerful people have been, they could not buy or pray their way out of it; their time to die came nonetheless. So, too, our time will come. Keeping this hour of death in mind restrains a person from all kinds of deviations and unrighteous deeds. Remembering torments refers to the future punishment for sins. For the devil, torment is prepared. If we commit sins, we fulfill the devil’s will, and by doing so, we will share in his torment. This realization helps us restrain ourselves and preserve the fear of God within us.
What else must we do? Abba Dorotheus continues: If a person examines themselves every evening, reflecting on how they spent the day, and every morning, considering how the night passed, and if they avoid boldness in their interactions. What is this boldness? Here, boldness refers to audacity, not the confidence to pray before God. Abba Dorotheus speaks of audacity in behavior. Finally, one must remain in close communion with a person who fears God. To clarify what audacity is, Abba Dorotheus explains in his fourth discourse: Audacity takes many forms—it can be in words or in touch. A person who speaks whatever they please acts with audacity, not courage. Audacity also manifests in touch or in a brazen glance. Whether grabbing someone inappropriately or staring boldly, these are forms of audacity. Audacity leads to idle talk, worldly chatter, foolish behavior, and inciting others to unseemly laughter. This is all audacity. It includes touching another unnecessarily, raising a hand against someone laughing, pushing or shoving others, snatching something from someone’s hands, or staring shamelessly. All these stem from audacity, which arises from a lack of fear of God in the soul. This is how precisely Abba Dorotheus describes audacity. By worldly standards, these actions may seem acceptable, but in Christian community life, they lead to the loss of the fear of God and self-control. Tenderness of heart is lost. With audacity, what tenderness or tears can there be? Such behaviors are set aside, and an entirely different way of life is chosen. This is the path to acquiring the fear of God.
When the fear of God takes root in a person, what does it do? Saint Simeon the New Theologian describes in his writings: The fear of God makes a person a footstool for all people. What does this mean? It means enduring however others treat them without taking offense. Such a person considers themselves the least, the most insignificant—like a footstool, like the ground trampled underfoot. That’s the kind of person one becomes with the fear of God. When pride is completely erased, and one regards themselves as nothing, casting aside vain self-conceit—thinking, “Who am I that others should bow before me? No, I am nothing”—then holy humility descends upon them from above. And what happens then? This humility makes the soul pleasing and virtuous, humbled and contrite. The soul reaches a state of contrition, watered by tears flowing like a river, becoming itself a source of living water that heals the wounds of sin. Such a person, having endured and experienced all this through patience, has humbled themselves to the utmost, becoming nothing. From their tears flow streams, and they become a source of living water. What does this mean? Anyone who comes to them in sorrow is comforted with words like: “Who are we? We exist on earth to endure.” Our life is like a lesson. Just as a person enters a school to complete it, whether with distinction or merely a diploma, so too has God sent us to earth to pass a lesson of life. How we pass it determines our outcome: with distinction by earthly measures or in a godly manner by spiritual measures, earning what is promised to such people. But if we live otherwise, we receive what sinners deserve.
From this comes both God’s wisdom and the fear of God. God’s wisdom is knowing and fulfilling His commandments. The fear of God, coupled with this practice, enters the soul and brings peace, humility, and tears. If someone considers themselves a believer, prays, and fasts extensively but lacks spiritual fruit, their deeds remain superficial and will not lead to what a person should truly strive for. What are the spiritual fruits? The Apostle Paul lists them in his epistle: love, truth, peace, patience, kindness, mercy, faith, meekness, and self-control. These virtues are the spiritual fruit we must strive for. A person may serve much, work hard, and help others, but if they grumble, all their deeds come to nothing. But if they serve with love, thinking, “I am serving God’s servants, Christ’s ministers,” with such love and willingness, then they possess the foremost commandment—love. This produces spiritual fruit. If a person does not strive to bear this fruit for God, they will hear from the Lord: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I command?”
The divine prophet David teaches us, saying: “The Lord said to the sinner, ‘Why do you declare My statutes and take My covenant in your mouth?’” This means we may read the scriptures and justify ourselves as if we know them, but it is only on our lips—we must fulfill them in deeds. Our actions must align with our words. David clearly rebukes those who boast of knowing God’s law but do not live by it. He continues: “You hated My instruction and cast My words behind you.” You heard the words but tossed them aside. And what do you do? “When you saw a thief, you ran with him, and with adulterers, you kept company.” People who call themselves believers befriend thieves, commit similar acts, associate with adulterers, and thereby offend God. The prophet continues: “Your mouth multiplied wickedness, and your tongue wove deceit.” We read this daily. If a person harbors malice and expresses it in words, or weaves flattery with their tongue, they will utterly provoke God, living contrary to His commandments. “You slandered your brother and brought scandal upon your mother’s son.” Slandering a neighbor or brother is akin to judging them, or worse. Even speaking the truth about someone with the intent to defame them is slander. All this must be eradicated from Christian life. We must strive to live and speak as things are. If something is wrong, say so, but do not judge or slander.
The Lord warns through the prophet: “Understand this, you who forget God, lest I seize you and there be none to deliver.” Remember these words, all who know God, so that the Lord does not suddenly take us. How? By ending our life. To avoid this, we must always live by God’s commandments. This is what we must fear. Thus, God’s wisdom declares: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we have the fear of God in our soul and heart, we guard ourselves from such deeds and turn away from all evil. The prophet further teaches how to learn the fear of the Lord: “Come, children, listen to me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” It seems simple, yet how do we learn it? “Who is the person who desires life and loves to see good days?” Who wants to live so that their days are always good? Good days come when our conscience does not torment us, when we commit no sin. Then our soul is at peace, and all days become truly good. How do we achieve this? “Keep your tongue from evil”—from slander, falsehood, blasphemy, and the like—“and your lips from speaking deceit.” Do not flatter; always speak the truth. “Turn away from evil and do good.” This is the entire wisdom of the fear of God: to turn from evil and do good. Nothing extraordinary is required—no fear like that of a wild beast. The Lord God is our Father; we must love Him and do nothing contrary to His law. We must abhor all evil, all impurity of both body and spirit. Just as there are spiritual fruits, there are also fruits of sin. Every carnal lust is sinful, for it inevitably defiles both soul and body.
The entire law of the Old and New Testaments, as we said, is based on the commandment of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and so forth.” Those who fulfill the commandment of love in deed fulfill the entire law. Christ the Savior says in the Holy Gospel: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves Me.” No matter how much someone claims to love God, if they do not fulfill the commandment of love, they are a liar. As it is written, “He who says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, is a liar.” Likewise, through John the Theologian, the Lord says: “He who loves God but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and there is no truth in him.” Since truth is Christ Himself, as we know—He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”—the path we must follow is shown by Christ. Truth is in Him, and life is in Him. Through Christ, we attain eternal life. If Christ dwells in us, He will surely teach us to live by His laws and commandments. But if Christ is not in us, what kind of Christians are we, and how can we call ourselves His followers? No matter how much one labors or fasts, righteousness is not found in these alone. These Old Testament virtues assist in being righteous but do not constitute righteousness itself. As it is said, “The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Fasting does not depend on food or drink. One may eat Lenten food but indulge so much that no room is left for the Holy Spirit. Everything lies in keeping our soul alive, cultivating and preserving spiritual virtues. When we have these virtues—peace, calm, and joy in the Holy Spirit—in our hearts, the kingdom of heaven is not far from us. For it is said, “The kingdom of God is within you.”
Thus, from all we have said, we learn that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom declares: “The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom, and humility precedes glory.” These are profound words. Another saying of wisdom: “The acquisition of wisdom is far better than gold, and the gaining of understanding is preferable to choice silver.” This shows how highly wisdom is valued before God—it cannot be compared to gold or silver. For the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, brings salvation to our souls. The wise Psalmist cries: “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord.” Why? Because such a person always walks in His commandments, delighting greatly in them. They live by God’s commandments, love to abide in them, and walk in them always. Such a person does not yield to impure thoughts, does not walk with the ungodly, but turns away from them, directing their soul along the Lord’s paths. If God’s commandments and statutes are violated, it leads to destruction. But “by the fear of the Lord, everyone turns away from evil,” as the wise Solomon says. When a person turns from evil, as we discussed, they begin to do good. A person cannot stand still—they either do evil or good. What is evil? It is the absence of good. And if a person turns from evil, they do good and do not remain idle.
We believe enough has been said about what the fear of God is and how God’s wisdom is acquired. One final example from the holy scriptures, from the Paterikon: Abba Poemen said, “The nature of water is so soft, and stone is so hard. Yet if a vessel is hung above a stone, and water drips onto it constantly, over time, the soft water will wear a hole in the stone.” So too are our hearts like stone, and the word of God like flowing water. The scriptures are often likened to flowing streams. When a person continually hears the word of God, no matter how hard their heart, it will eventually soften if they listen and receive it. The word of God will pierce that stony heart, and it will begin to grow wise—with God’s wisdom. The Apostle Paul says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Through hearing God’s word, faith is strengthened. And as our faith grows, we desire to fulfill God’s commandments to please Him and attain future blessedness.
Forgive me, for Christ’s sake.