Raising children in the fear of Almighty God

Raising children in the fear of Almighty God

David d’Lima, FamilyVoice Australia - June 2021

Part of the privilege and responsibility of parents and teachers is to encourage young hearts and minds towards knowing God, who is both loving and holy, and who therefore is to be loved and to be feared. Indeed, all authorities in society, including parents, teachers and governmental leaders, should be loved and respected, and therefore it is good to encourage those responses among the children we nurture.

The word ‘fear’ is regarded somewhat negatively within modern thinking, both in Christian and secular contexts. Hence it is valuable and necessary to restore the wise and biblically-endorsed concept of fear.

The gift of fear is built into creation itself. Hence, people are rightly frightened by unexpected loud noises, and sources of pain, such as hot surfaces or sharp implements. As expressed by an Irish proverb: A man who is not afraid of the sea will soon be drowned. While such examples of fear may be called a common grace (functioning as good gifts that are granted to all humanity), other aspects of fear must be taught and learned - in response to the revelation by God concerning his character and qualities.