In our day, many believers are busy doing “the right things.” We pray, give, serve, sing, and show up in church. Yet, if we are honest, a lot of what we do is done without a consciousness that God is deeply interested in the heart behind the action. The true fear of God is not about external performance but about living with the awareness that He sees and weighs the motives of our hearts.
Man looks at outward appearance, but God looks deeper. “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit” (Proverbs 16:2). While others may applaud our activity, God is examining our intent.
The Heart in Scripture
From the beginning, God has shown that the heart posture matters more than the ritual.
- Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3–7): Both brought sacrifices, but God accepted Abel’s because it came from faith and sincerity. Cain’s offering, though outwardly similar, lacked that devotion.
- King Saul (1 Samuel 13 & 15): He wanted to appear obedient but cut corners. He spared what God told him to destroy and offered unlawful sacrifices. Outwardly, he looked spiritual, but inwardly, his heart was rebellious.
- Mary and Zechariah (Luke 1): When Gabriel appeared, both asked questions. Mary’s words came from faith seeking clarity, but Zechariah’s came from unbelief. God made him mute until the promise was fulfilled—the same angel, two different heart postures.
- The Widow’s Offering (Luke 21:1–4): While the rich gave from abundance, a poor widow dropped in two small coins. Jesus said she gave more than all because her heart gave everything to God.
- Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5): They gave, but lied about their giving. Outwardly generous, inwardly deceptive — and God judged the intent, not just the act.
These stories remind us that the fear of God is not about impressing men. It is about living with the understanding that God sees why we do what we do.
Modern-Day Reflections
Think about two people who pray: one bows quietly in their room, unseen, because they hunger for God’s presence. Another prays loudly in public, but only so others will notice their spirituality. To men, both prayed. To God, only one’s heart touched heaven.
Or picture an employee at work. One refuses to cheat or cut corners, not because the boss is watching, but because he knows God’s eyes are everywhere. Another avoids cheating only when he knows he could get caught. Outwardly, they may look the same. Inwardly, the motives are worlds apart.
We can also see this in giving. A woman gives generously but with the hidden intent of gaining recognition and influence in church. Meanwhile, a young man gives a small portion of his allowance quietly, desiring only to honor God. Who truly gave more? Heaven knows.
A Call to Examine the Heart
The fear of God is not terror but reverence — the awareness that God cannot be deceived. Appearances, applause, or religious activity do not sway him. “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
As believers, we must learn to ask: Why am I doing this? Am I singing to glorify God or to impress the crowd? Am I giving because I love Him or because I want to be noticed? Am I repenting because I am genuinely sorry or because I want to maintain an image?
The intent of the heart is what God measures. In the end, it is better to do a little with a pure heart than to do much with a corrupted motive.
Conclusion
The fear of God is living daily with the knowledge that He sees not just our hands, but our hearts as well. Abel’s sacrifice, David’s repentance, Mary’s faith, the widow’s coins — they all remind us that what God values most is the heart turned toward Him.
So whether in prayer, work, relationships, or service, let us guard our motives. For in the sight of God, a heart that truly seeks Him is of greater worth than a thousand empty actions.
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