We've Gone Too Far

Death to Dishonor: Restoring Sacred Reverence in Modern Faith

In a world where sacred things have become commonplace, we've lost sight of the importance of honoring God with proper reverence. While correcting toxic church culture is important, we may have overcorrected to the point of dishonoring what should remain holy.

What's the Difference Between Fear of God and Spirit of Fear?

The story of Job illustrates two distinct types of fear we must understand:

The Spirit of Fear

This demonic influence contradicts God's truth and manifests in three key ways:

- Clouds our vision of God's presence

- Weakens our resolve and determination

- Causes us to constantly expect worst-case scenarios

The Fear of the Lord

This is not terror, but rather a reverent awe that shapes how we:

- Live our daily lives

- Think about God and His ways

- Speak about sacred things

- Surrender to His will

How Has Modern Culture Lost Sacred Reverence?

We've become too casual with holy things, treating God like He's just another person rather than the King of Glory. While God is accessible, this doesn't negate His lordship or holiness. Relationship with God doesn't cancel the need for reverence.

How Can We Restore Proper Reverence?

Three key steps to resurrect the fear of God:

Reframe - See God as He truly is, not as we want Him to be

Repent - Turn from casual attitudes toward holy things

Respond - Return to foundational practices of reverence and worship

‍What Can We Learn from Job's Example?

Even in his deepest suffering, Job maintained his worship. When everything was stripped away, he still chose to honor God. True reverence says "bow the knee" to:

Pain and grief

Sickness and problems

Doubt and confusion

Unmet expectations

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Catch the sermon right here!

This week, examine your approach to sacred things. Ask yourself:

Have I become too casual in how I approach God and holy matters?

Do I maintain reverence even during difficult times?

What areas of my life need more sacred honor?

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Questions of reflection

Challenge: Choose one daily practice to restore reverence in your relationship with God. This could be setting aside dedicated prayer time, speaking more respectfully about holy things, or approaching worship with greater intentionality.

Remember: The fear of God doesn't just put Him back in His rightful place - it puts us back in ours. True reverence leads to both humility and holy confidence in who God is.

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