Key Takeaways
1. The Fear of the Lord: Foundation of Wisdom and Holiness
"The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil"
Definition of fear: The fear of the Lord is not terror, but a deep reverence and awe that leads to hating what God hates - sin. It involves having God's attitude toward sin at all times, understanding His holiness, and taking Him seriously in every aspect of life.
Importance in Scripture: The Bible emphasizes the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. It's a foundational concept that shapes our entire relationship with God and how we live our lives.
Practical implications:
- Developing a hatred for sin in thoughts, words, and actions
- Cultivating a deep respect for God's holiness and power
- Making choices based on what pleases God rather than personal desires
2. Obedience to God: Choosing His Will Over Human Reasoning
"When we obey God because of the fear of the Lord upon our lives, we can take great comfort in the promises He has given to bless us."
Immediate obedience: True obedience to God is instant, joyful, and complete. It stems from understanding who God is, not just what He says. This level of obedience often requires us to set aside our human reasoning and trust in God's wisdom.
Testing our obedience: God often tests our obedience by asking us to do things that seem illogical or uncomfortable. These tests reveal whether we fear God more than we fear discomfort or the opinions of others.
Examples of obedience:
- Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac
- The author's experience of obeying God's prompting to speak briefly at a conference
- Numerous biblical figures who chose obedience despite personal cost
3. Overcoming the Fear of Man Through God's Approval
"The fear of man is being more impressed with man's reaction to our actions than with God's reaction."
Contrast with fear of God: While the fear of man leads to bondage, the fear of God brings freedom. It releases us from concern about what people think and allows us to act with God's authority.
Practical steps to overcome:
- Constantly seeking God's opinion over human opinions
- Reminding ourselves of God's character and promises
- Practicing obedience in small things to build confidence in larger matters
Benefits: Overcoming the fear of man leads to greater boldness in ministry, clearer communication of God's truth, and a more intimate relationship with God.
4. God's Holiness: The Core of His Character and Our Worship
"We will never understand the mercy of God until we have understood the holiness of God."
Central importance: God's holiness is the most important aspect of His character. It's the attribute that heavenly beings continuously proclaim and the foundation for understanding all other aspects of God's nature.
Impact on our relationship with God:
- Deepens our worship and reverence
- Enhances our understanding of God's love and mercy
- Motivates us to pursue holiness in our own lives
Practical application: Studying God's holiness should be a priority for every believer. It shapes our attitudes, actions, and overall approach to the Christian life.
5. Repentance: The Path to Spiritual Renewal and Intimacy with God
"Repentance is the way out—the way of escape—when we have failed to live by the biblical standards."
True repentance defined: Repentance is more than feeling sorry or confessing sin. It involves a change of mind, heart, and life regarding sin. It's turning away from sin and turning toward God.
Steps of repentance:
- Acknowledging sin as God sees it
- Confessing specifically to God (and others if necessary)
- Asking for God's forgiveness and cleansing
- Making restitution where possible
- Changing behavior and thought patterns
Results of repentance: Genuine repentance leads to spiritual renewal, deeper intimacy with God, and often breakthrough in areas of long-standing struggle.
6. Guarding Our Thoughts: The Battleground for Holiness
"All sin starts in the mind; therefore, we are only as holy as our 'thought lives' are holy."
Importance of thought life: Our thoughts are the foundation of our actions. What we allow our minds to dwell on shapes our character and ultimately our behavior.
Practical strategies:
- Filling our minds with Scripture and godly thoughts
- Quickly rejecting sinful or negative thoughts
- Practicing the presence of God throughout the day
- Developing accountability in our thought lives
God's standard: We should strive for the same purity of thought that Jesus demonstrated. This requires constant vigilance and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
7. Relationships: Balancing Love and Purity in Christ
"Only really holy people are free to be really natural."
God's design for relationships: God intends for us to experience deep, fulfilling relationships that reflect the love within the Trinity. This includes both same-sex and opposite-sex friendships.
Balancing intimacy and purity:
- Cultivating the fear of the Lord as the foundation for all relationships
- Expressing love and affection without compromising holiness
- Being natural and genuine while maintaining appropriate boundaries
Practical wisdom: The fear of the Lord enables us to navigate complex relational situations with wisdom, expressing Christ-like love without falling into temptation or compromise.
8. The Danger of Idolatry: Putting God First in All Things
"An idol is something or someone that takes a priority place in our lives over the Lord Jesus Christ in our thinking, in our time, in our affection, in our loyalty and in our obedience."
Recognizing idols: Idolatry often creeps in subtly. It can involve good things that take an improper place in our hearts and lives. Common idols include:
- Possessions and money
- Relationships and family
- Ministry and service
- Comfort and pleasure
Consequences of idolatry: Putting anything before God hinders our relationship with Him and ultimately leads to spiritual stagnation or regression.
Overcoming idolatry:
- Regular self-examination and heart checks
- Repentance and renunciation of identified idols
- Intentional pursuit of God as our highest priority and greatest love
9. Practical Steps to Cultivate the Fear of the Lord
"We continually seek God for the fear of the Lord with intense desire and receive it by faith."
Intentional pursuit: Developing the fear of the Lord requires deliberate effort and commitment. It doesn't happen automatically.
Key steps:
- Choose to pursue the fear of the Lord
- Confess lack and cry out to God for mercy
- Study Scripture passages on the fear of the Lord
- Meditate on God's character and holiness
- Practice obedience in small and large matters
- Regularly examine your life for areas lacking the fear of God
Ongoing process: Growing in the fear of the Lord is a lifelong journey that requires persistence and humility.
10. The Rewards of Fearing God: Wisdom, Understanding, and Friendship
"The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant."
Wisdom and understanding: The fear of the Lord is directly linked to gaining wisdom and understanding. It provides clarity in decision-making and discernment in complex situations.
Intimate friendship with God: Those who fear the Lord experience a depth of relationship with God that others miss. This includes:
- Greater revelation of God's character
- Insight into His purposes and plans
- Increased effectiveness in prayer and ministry
Practical benefits:
- Protection from sin and its consequences
- Guidance in life's decisions
- Peace and confidence in challenging times
- Increased fruitfulness in serving God and others
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Review Summary
Intimate Friendship with God receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its emphasis on the fear of the Lord and intimacy with God. Many find it life-changing, well-supported by Scripture, and insightful. Reviewers appreciate Dawson's personal experiences and practical teachings. Some criticisms include outdated examples and perceived arrogance. The book is recommended for Christians seeking a deeper relationship with God, though a few readers find it unbalanced or difficult to focus on. Overall, it's considered a valuable resource for spiritual growth.