Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
The man that walks in the fear of the Lord experiences the blessing of Almighty God (Psalm 1:1-6). The fear of the Lord is not a phobic, tormenting, feeling of doom about God but a reverence, respect, and awe of God. It is defined in several ways in Scripture but a good way to understand it is from knowing what Scripture says about those who lack it. Psalm 36:1 lets us know it is the main characteristic that is lacking in the unsaved man, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” In the New Testament Romans 3:18 agrees when it describes the unrighteous and says, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” The life of his transgression or the thing that spawns his transgression is his perspective and what he says in his heart.
The Book of Ecclesiastes amplifies this wrong perspective in Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 which says, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” Those that lack the fear of the Lord are characterized by:
- V.11 – A wrong perspective about sin.
- V. 12, 13 – A wrong perspective about judgment.
With these thoughts in mind then the fear of the Lord can only be developed by knowledge about sin, its consequences, and judgment. Teaching on these subjects is sadly lacking in the Body of Christ today. We certainly should major on Christ’s total victory over sin, our righteous standing before God, and the empowerment that the grace of God gives us to live holy. When we lack the fear of the Lord we lack developing a hatred for sin (Proverb 8:13) that helps us to either remove it or remove ourselves from it. That which should turn us off and repulse us (about things that are sin) is an attraction and infatuation that some Believers can hardly stay away from. The fear of the Lord not only loves what is right but it hates what is evil and we have a built in reaction of turning away from what we hate.
Our gracious Heavenly Father planned for our life to be a good life and filled with His blessing. Sin, satan, and spiritual death entering this planet through Adam’s transgression ruined that very good life God planned for us. Thank God all of what God planned is restored and made available to us through Jesus Christ.
Pastor John Rasicci is the founder and Pastor of Word of His Grace Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where we are building people who are building the Church. Pastor's ministry mission is to help people discover God's dream for their Life, the Local Church, and the Last Days' Harvest. With a strong emphasis on the grace of God and with a prophetic voice, Pastor John preaches and teaches in churches, conferences, and crusades both locally and throughout the world. He has produced books, tapes, and other teaching materials to empower, enable, and equip Believers with the Word of God. Pastor John is married to his wife Candy who with their three children, Krista, Joanna, John Anthony, and two son-in-laws, Matt and Doug, serve together in the ministry. After graduating from Kent State University, Pastor John pursued a career in professional baseball before accepting the call to the ministry. He and his wife, Candy, received their ministry training from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
John Rasicci 
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