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PROGRAM D-7927

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). You probably recognize that verse from the famous 31st chapter of Proverbs which describes a godly woman. The one thing that made this woman significant was that she feared the Lord.

I want to be a godly woman, and I’m sure you do, too. So how does one become a woman who fears the Lord? What does this mean? This fear is reverential awe—a fear that comes from knowing enough about God to be in awe of his power, his holiness, and his sovereignty. This fear springs from love and devotion.

What should we fear if we fear the Lord? We should fear bringing any kind of disgrace to the name of Jesus.

Psalm 69:6 is a prayer of David’s which I have written in my prayer journal and pray often: “May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.” Do you fear doing something that will cause the name of Jesus to be dishonored? That is a godly fear; it is the fear of the Lord.

We’ve seen many times, both in public and private arenas, where Christians have strayed morally and ethically, bringing disgrace to the name of the Lord. I have a great fear of doing that and I hope I always will.

Why am I fearful of bringing disgrace to the name of the Lord? One, because I know how weak I am and how easy it would be for me to fall. That’s true of all of us. Two, because the thought of breaking his heart through a moral failure breaks my heart. And three, because I know I would lose so much. My ministry and freedom to serve the Lord would be greatly impacted if I brought disgrace to his name.

When you have a holy fear of bringing disgrace to God’s name, you will watch the way you live very closely. No temporary thrill can entice you to pay this awful price, when you truly fear the Lord as you should.