by There are many aspects to the fear of God and as a believer matures, the fear of God increases. This is in correlation to humility because the fear of God assists in creating the humility. Genesis makes it known to every new believer that God is powerful, He made the universe, earth, and everything on it. He has the power to make things happen at any time of his choosing. This knowledge immediately lets the new believer know that He should be feared and not be made upset. Once the believer gets to know more, they will read Proverbs where they will read, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7, New King James Version). This fear and knowledge establish humility in the Christian. Murray states, “Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.”[1]
As the believer matures, he will understand that fear is wisdom (Job 28:28). Those that do not fear God are considered unrighteous and wicked in the New Testament. When a person fears God, they know how little they are in the world and how dependent they are on God for everything. This is where humility increases within the person as they understand who Christ is and what role He has in a Christian’s salvation. There is also the humility that Jesus displayed and taught for everyone to follow. Jesus surrendered Himself with His will and His powers entirely for the Father to work in Him.[2] The gift of the Holy Spirit works within the Christian so that they know God rightly and they fear God rightly. In a mature Christian, this becomes a lifestyle as they are walking in the Spirit knowing that fear is an appropriate response to the Triune God.
This fear of God, and living in a state of humility, does not mean everything is doom and gloom. There is much to celebrate as humility is needed to allow God’s holiness to dwell in him and shine through him.[3] This brings worship, praise, joy, faith, and exaltation. Humility is the disposition which enables the soul to live on trust.[4] The Apostle Paul is an example of someone that feared God, was very humble, and always encouraged everyone to make the choice to rejoice. Murray explains, “He had learned that the place of humiliation is the place of blessing, of power, of joy.”[5] God states multiple times that Christians should humble themselves. He will exalt those that do this. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
Pride is definitely not on the list of Fruit of the Spirit. It is not specifically listed as a work of the flesh in the earlier verses, but it is part of idolatry which is listed. It could be considered the opposite of humility. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4, New King James Version). Murray explains humility, “it is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all.”[6] This means that humility is rightly placing God at the top and yielding oneself to Him. As you state, this allows no room for pride. It is clear that pride is the most natural manifestation for humanity and also the most dangerous as it takes away from God and the fear of God. The Bible states that pride is linked to destruction and downfall. “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18). We also know that God opposes pride and gives grace to the humble. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6).
Does our definition of fear change just because our culture has shifted? According to Job 28:28, fear is wisdom. Our wisdom of who God is should not change over time. The sins and influences of the world change, but God does not change. “For I am the LORD, I do not change;” (Mal. 3:6, New King James Version). With this premise, I then connect fear to being humble and that is where the influences have changed over time. Pride is everywhere in the world we live in today, and I think it was back then as well, because pride is talked about as one of the biggest opponents to humility. Murray states, “And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil.”[7]
Does this influence our humility, faith, and, ultimately, fear of the Lord? I think that the daily saturation of prideful things and prideful acts through phones, social media, etc. are what is in the sphere of walking in the flesh today. If we continue to walk in the Spirit, then we ignore and do not get tempted because we have the Holy Spirit guiding us and giving us the power to overcome sin, including pride. The fear of God should also relate closely to our delight in God. Michael Reeves in his book, Rejoice and Tremble, makes this case. Do not to place love and fear on opposite sides, but recognize that our love is fearful and God’s fearsomeness is loving!
I can see how the gospel could be restated with the word humility used many times within a revised gospel message. Murray states, “Hence it follows that nothing can be our redemption, but the restoration of the lost humility, the original and only true relation of the creature to its God. And so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it to save us.”[8] This states how humility was lost during the fall and how Jesus became completely humble unto the Father and led by example so we would also believe and follow Jesus in being humble. This means that His humility is our salvation and His salvation is our humility.[9] God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to be and lead with humility so we could be saved if we also become humble and have complete fear of God. It also aligns with one of Paul’s letters.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8).
Bibliography
Murray, Andrew. Humility: The Beauty of Holiness. New York, NY: Fleming H. Revell, 1800.
[1] Andrew Murray, Humility: The Beauty of Holiness (New York; London; Glasgow: Fleming H. Revell, 1800), 12.
[2] Ibid., 26.
[3] Ibid., 52.
[4] Ibid., 68.
[5] Ibid., 80.
[6] Ibid., 14.
[7] Ibid., 12.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.