Page 93 - Overcoming Addiction

Chapter 14 - The Necessary Fear of God

urge you to pay special attention to this chapter, even if the topic seems
Iunappealing to you. Some having read previous chapters that spoke of my long
struggle with an addiction to pornography may ask how I finally broke free of it.
As you read this chapter, you will understand, and you may find these truths to be
equally liberating for you.
The topic of the fear of God has fallen out of vogue in this late hour at the
end of the age. Many churches have sought to fashion God into an image that is
more appealing to sinful men and women. They therefore focus upon the
kindness, love and mercy of God while ignoring His equally important traits of
justice, righteousness and holiness. It is never wise to neglect any aspect of truth,
particularly as it relates to the character and actions of Yahweh in His dealings
with mankind.
Fear has come to take on a very negative connotation, and in most cases this
view is right. The fear of man, or of Satan, or of circumstances and events brings
bondage and torment. Yet there is one type of fear that brings freedom. Though
fear is decried in many places in the Bible, this particular fear is never reproved,
but it is praised instead. This is the fear of God.
The apostle Paul had a complete view of God in mind when he wrote the
following words:

Romans 11:22
Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity,
but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you
also will be cut off.

The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, reveal that God is kind, but
He will not allow His children to walk in rebellion and stubbornness without
judging them. In writing to the Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul warns them
to not think lightly of God’s kindness, forbearance and patience, so as to take
advantage of it in an unrighteous way.

Romans 2:4-11
Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and
patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up
wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous
judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds: to
those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and
immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do
not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There
will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the
Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to every man
who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no
partiality with God.