1-2. According to Psalm 25:14, what must we do if we want to have a close friendship with Jehovah?

WHAT qualities, do you think, are essential if you want to maintain a close friendship with someone? You would likely answer that good friends should love and support each other. You probably would not think of fear as an important quality for a good friendship. However, as the theme text for this article states, those who want to have a close friendship with Jehovah must “fear him.”​—Read Psalm 25:14.

² No matter how long we have been serving Jehovah, all of us need to maintain a healthy fear of him. But what does it mean to fear God? How can we learn to fear Jehovah? And what can we learn about the fear of God from the steward Obadiah, High Priest Jehoiada, and King Jehoash?

 3. Describe what causes us to experience fear and how we may be affected.

³ We may experience fear if we believe that we could suffer some kind of harm. This type of fear can be healthy and can move us to act wisely. Fear of falling holds us back from walking too close to the edge of a cliff. Fear of injury may impel us to run from a dangerous situation. Fear of damaging our friendship with someone we love keeps us from saying or doing something unkind.

 4. What kind of fear of Jehovah does Satan want us to have?

⁴ Satan wants people to have an unhealthy fear of Jehovah. Satan promotes the idea expressed by Eliphaz​—that Jehovah is a vengeful, angry God who is impossible to please. (Job 4:18, 19) Satan wants us to become so afraid of Jehovah that we stop serving Him. To avoid that trap, we need to develop a proper fear of God.

 5. What does it mean to fear God?

⁵ A person who has a proper fear of God loves Him and does not want to do anything that would damage his relationship with Him. Jesus had such “godly fear.” (Heb. 5:7) He did not feel a morbid dread of Jehovah. (Isa. 11:2, 3) Instead, he felt a deep love for him and wanted to obey him. (John 14:21, 31) Like Jesus, we feel deep respect and awe for Jehovah because He is loving, wise, just, and powerful. We also know that Jehovah loves us very much and is affected by how we respond to his guidance. We can either make Jehovah feel pain or make his heart rejoice.​—Ps. 78:41; Prov. 27:11.

 6. What is one way that we can learn to fear God? (Psalm 34:11)

⁶ We are not born with a fear of Jehovah; we must cultivate it. (Read Psalm 34:11.) One way we can do that is by examining creation. The more we see God’s wisdom, his power, and his deep love for us as expressed in “the things made,” the deeper our respect and love for him will be. (Rom. 1:20) A sister named Adrienne said, “Jehovah’s wisdom as seen in creation amazes me and helps me realize that he knows what is best for me.” Her meditation led her to this conclusion, “Why would I want to do anything that would put a barrier between me and Jehovah, the Source of my life?” Can you spend some time this week thinking about an aspect of creation? Doing so will deepen your respect and love for Jehovah.​—Ps. 111:2, 3.

 7. How can prayer help us to develop a healthy fear of Jehovah?

⁷ Another way we can develop our fear of God is by praying regularly. The more we pray, the more real Jehovah becomes to us. Each time we ask him for strength to endure a trial, we are reminded of his awesome power. When we thank him for the gift of his Son, we remind ourselves of Jehovah’s love for us. And when we supplicate Jehovah for his help with a problem, we impress on our heart just how wise he is. Such prayers deepen our respect for Jehovah. And they strengthen our resolve to avoid doing anything that would damage our friendship with him.

 8. What can we do to maintain our fear of God?

⁸ We can maintain our fear of God by studying the Bible with the goal of learning from both the good examples and the bad examples that it contains. Let us discuss two faithful servants of Jehovah​—King Ahab’s household steward Obadiah and High Priest Jehoiada. Then we will see what we can learn from King Jehoash of Judah, who started off well but later left Jehovah.

 9. How did fear of Jehovah affect Obadiah? (1 Kings 18:3, 12)

⁹ The Bible introduces us to Obadiahb with the words: “Obadiah greatly feared Jehovah.” (Read 1 Kings 18:3, 12.) How did this wholesome fear affect Obadiah? For one thing, it made him honest and trustworthy; hence, the king put him in charge of the royal household. (Compare Nehemiah 7:2.) Obadiah’s godly fear also gave him extraordinary courage​—a quality that he surely needed. He lived during the reign of wicked King Ahab, who “was worse in the eyes of Jehovah than all those [kings] who were prior to him.” (1 Ki. 16:30) Also, Ahab’s Baal-worshipping wife, Jezebel, hated Jehovah so much that she tried to wipe out true worship in the northern kingdom. She even killed many of God’s prophets. (1 Ki. 18:4) Without doubt, Obadiah worshipped Jehovah during a difficult time.

10. How did Obadiah display extraordinary courage?

¹⁰ How did Obadiah display extraordinary courage? When Jezebel began hunting down God’s prophets to put them to death, Obadiah took 100 of them and hid them “by groups of 50 in a cave and kept supplying them bread and water.” (1 Ki. 18:13, 14) If discovered, courageous Obadiah would surely have been executed. Of course, Obadiah was human, and he did not want to die. But Obadiah loved Jehovah and those who served Him more than he loved his own life.

11. How are Jehovah’s modern-day servants like Obadiah? (See also picture.)

¹¹ Today many of Jehovah’s servants live in lands where our work is banned. They show the secular authorities due respect, but like Obadiah, these precious brothers and sisters give to Jehovah what belongs to Him​—exclusive devotion. (Matt. 22:21) They demonstrate their fear of God by obeying him rather than men. (Acts 5:29) They do this by continuing to proclaim the good news and by discreetly meeting together. (Matt. 10:16, 28) They are concerned that their brothers and sisters get much-needed spiritual food. Consider the example of Henri, who lives in an African land where our work was banned for a time. During the ban, Henri volunteered to distribute spiritual food to his fellow Witnesses. He wrote: “I am shy by nature. So I am convinced that it was the deep respect I feel for Jehovah that gave me the courage I needed.” Can you see yourself being as courageous as Henri was? You can be if you develop a healthy fear of God.

12. How did High Priest Jehoiada and his wife show great loyalty to Jehovah?

¹² High Priest Jehoiada feared Jehovah, and that fear moved him to be loyal and to promote true worship. This was evident when Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah, usurped the throne in Judah. The people had good reason to be afraid of Athaliah. She was ruthless and so greedy for power that she tried to murder the entire royal line​—her own grandsons! (2 Chron. 22:10, 11) One of those children​—Jehoash—​survived because Jehoiada’s wife, Jehoshabeath, rescued him. She and her husband hid the child and took care of him. In this way Jehoiada and Jehoshabeath helped preserve the Davidic line of kings. Jehoiada was loyal to Jehovah and did not tremble in fear of Athaliah.​—Prov. 29:25.

13. When Jehoash was seven years old, how did Jehoiada again display loyalty?

¹³ When Jehoash was seven years old, Jehoiada again proved his loyalty to Jehovah. He formed a plan. If it succeeded, Jehoash would become king, David’s rightful heir. If the plan failed, however, Jehoiada would almost certainly lose his life. With Jehovah’s blessing, the plan succeeded. Jehoiada, supported by the chieftains and the Levites, made Jehoash king and had Athaliah executed. (2 Chron. 23:1-5, 11, 12, 15; 24:1) Jehoiada then “made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they would continue as the people of Jehovah.” (2 Ki. 11:17) Jehoiada “also stationed the gatekeepers by the gates of the house of Jehovah, so that no one unclean in any respect could enter.”​—2 Chron. 23:19.

14. In what ways was Jehoiada honored for honoring Jehovah?

¹⁴ Jehovah earlier stated: “Those honoring me I will honor.” Indeed, he rewarded Jehoiada. (1 Sam. 2:30) For example, he had the high priest’s fine deeds recorded for our instruction. (Rom. 15:4) And when Jehoiada died, he was given the exceptional honor of being buried “in the City of David along with the kings, because he had done good in Israel with respect to the true God and His house.”​—2 Chron. 24:15, 16.

15. What can we learn from the account about Jehoiada? (See also picture.)

¹⁵ The account about Jehoiada can help all of us to develop fear of God. Christian overseers can imitate Jehoiada by remaining alert and by loyally protecting God’s flock. (Acts 20:28) Older ones can learn from Jehoiada that when they fear Jehovah and remain loyal, He can use them to accomplish His purpose. He does not set them aside. Young ones can take note of how Jehovah treated Jehoiada and imitate Him by treating loyal older ones with dignity and respect, especially those with a long record of faithful service. (Prov. 16:31) Finally, we can all take a lesson from the chieftains and the Levites who supported Jehoiada. Let us loyally support “those who are taking the lead” by obeying them.​—Heb. 13:17.

16. What shows that King Jehoash was weak?

¹⁶ King Jehoash benefited from the good influence of Jehoiada. (2 Ki. 12:2) As a result, the young king wanted to please Jehovah. But after Jehoiada died, Jehoash listened to apostate princes. The result? He and his subjects “began serving the sacred poles and the idols.” (2 Chron. 24:4, 17, 18) Deeply hurt, Jehovah “kept sending prophets among them to bring them back . . . , but they refused to listen.” They did not even listen to Jehoiada’s son Zechariah, who was not only Jehovah’s prophet and priest but also Jehoash’s cousin. In fact, without any gratitude for the family to whom he owed so much, King Jehoash had Zechariah killed.​—2 Chron. 22:11; 24:19-22.

17. How did things turn out for Jehoash?

¹⁷ Jehoash did not maintain a healthy fear of Jehovah, and things turned out badly for him. Jehovah had stated: “Those despising me will be treated with contempt.” (1 Sam. 2:30) A small Syrian army later defeated Jehoash’s “very large army” and “severely wounded” him. After the Syrians left, Jehoash was assassinated by his own servants for killing Zechariah. That wicked king was not even considered worthy of being buried “in the burial places of the kings.”​—2 Chron. 24:23-25; see “son of Barachiah” study note on Matthew 23:35.

18. According to Jeremiah 17:7, 8, how can we avoid being like Jehoash?

¹⁸ What can we learn from the example of Jehoash? He was like a tree with shallow roots that depended on the support of a stake. When the stake​—Jehoiada—​was gone and the winds of apostasy blew, Jehoash toppled over. This powerfully illustrates that our fear of God must not depend solely on the good influence of fellow Christians, including family members. To remain spiritually strong, we must strengthen our own godly devotion and fear through regular study, meditation, and prayer.​—Read Jeremiah 17:7, 8; Col. 2:6, 7.

19. What does Jehovah ask of us?

¹⁹ Jehovah does not really ask much of us. What he requires is summed up at Ecclesiastes 12:13, which says: “Fear the true God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole obligation of man.” When we fear God, we will be able to face future tests and stand firm like Obadiah and Jehoiada. Nothing will be able to damage our friendship with Jehovah.

1-2. Like Lot, what challenge do Christians face today?

REGARDING the moral standards promoted by this world, we feel as did righteous Lot. He “was greatly distressed by the brazen conduct of the lawless people,” knowing that our heavenly Father hates bad conduct. (2 Pet. 2:7, 8) Fear of God and love for him moved Lot to reject the low moral standards of the people around him. We too are surrounded by people who have little or no respect for Jehovah’s moral standards. Despite that, we can remain morally clean if we maintain our love for God and cultivate a healthy fear of him.​—Prov. 14:2.

² To that end, Jehovah provides loving encouragement and motivation by means of the book of Proverbs. All Christians, men and women, young and old, can truly benefit from considering the wise counsel found there.

 3. According to Proverbs 17:3, what is one reason why we need to protect our heart? (See also picture.)

³ A key reason to protect our figurative heart is that Jehovah examines our heart. This means that he looks past what we appear to be to others and sees who we really are on the inside. (Read Proverbs 17:3.) He will love us if we fill our mind with his life-giving wisdom. (John 4:14) We will thereby leave no room for the moral and spiritual poison coming from Satan and his world. (1 John 5:18, 19) As we draw closer to Jehovah, our love and respect for him will grow. Because we do not want to hurt our Father, we will hate even the very thought of sinning. When tempted to do wrong, we will ask, ‘How could I deliberately hurt Someone who has shown me so much love?’​—1 John 4:9, 10.

 4. How did fear of Jehovah protect a sister from giving in to temptation?

⁴ Marta, a sister in Croatia who was tempted to commit immorality, wrote: “I found it hard to think clearly and to suppress the urge to enjoy the temporary pleasure of sin. But fear of Jehovah protected me.”b How did fear of God do that? Marta said that she meditated on the consequences that a bad decision would bring. We can do the same. The worst consequence is that we will sadden Jehovah and not be in line to worship him forever.​—Gen. 6:5, 6.

 5. What can you learn from Leo’s experience?

⁵ When we fear Jehovah, we are careful not to excuse bad behavior. Leo, who lives in Congo, learned that lesson. Four years after his baptism, he got involved with bad association. He thought that as long as he personally did not engage in bad practices, he was not sinning against Jehovah. Soon, though, his bad associates led him to abuse alcohol and to commit immorality. He then began to reflect on what his Christian parents had taught him and on the happiness that he had lost. The result? He came to his senses. With help from the elders, he returned to Jehovah. Today he serves happily as an elder and a special pioneer.

 6. What two figurative women will we now discuss?

⁶ Let us consider Proverbs chapter 9, where we read about wisdom and foolishness, personified as two women. (Compare Romans 5:14; Galatians 4:24.) As we do so, bear in mind that Satan’s world is obsessed with immoral sex and pornography. (Eph. 4:19) So it is vital that we continue to cultivate godly fear and turn away from bad. (Prov. 16:6) Consequently, all of us, whether male or female, can benefit from what this chapter presents. Each of the two women is described as extending an invitation to the inexperienced​—those “lacking good sense.” Each says, as it were, ‘Come into my house and have a meal.’ (Prov. 9:1, 5, 6, 13, 16, 17) But there is a vast difference in the results, or outcomes, presented.

 7. According to Proverbs 9:13-18, to what does one of the invitations lead? (See also picture.)

⁷ Consider the invitation from the “stupid woman.” (Read Proverbs 9:13-18.) She boldly calls out to those lacking good sense, “Come in here” and feast. With what result? “Those powerless in death are there.” You may recall similar figurative language found earlier in Proverbs. We are warned about “the wayward” and “immoral woman.” We are told: “Her house sinks down into death.” (Prov. 2:11-19) Proverbs 5:3-10 contains an alert about another “wayward woman” whose “feet descend into death.”

 8. What choice is presented?

⁸ Those hearing the “stupid woman” face a choice: Will they accept her invitation or reject it? We might find ourselves facing such a choice. When confronted with sexual immorality or pornography, as is featured in the media and on the Internet, what will we choose?

9-10. What are some reasons why we should avoid sexually immoral conduct?

⁹ There are valid reasons why we should avoid sexually immoral conduct. The “stupid woman” is described as saying: “Stolen waters are sweet.” What are “stolen waters”? The Bible likens sexual intimacies that a married couple may enjoy to refreshing water. (Prov. 5:15-18) Husband and wife can find pleasure in appropriate sexual acts within their legal marriage. How different, though, with “stolen waters.” That may refer to illicit, immoral sex. Such often occurs in secret, just as a thief often steals in secret. The “stolen waters” may seem particularly sweet if those involved feel that they are getting away with their sinful course. What a sad deception! Jehovah sees all. Nothing could be more bitter than losing his favor, so there is nothing “sweet” about that tragic loss. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) But there is more.

¹⁰ Sexual immorality can cause shame, a sense of worthlessness, unwanted pregnancies, and broken families. Clearly, it is the course of wisdom to avoid the stupid woman’s “house” and the meal. In addition to facing spiritual death, many immoral people contract diseases that lead to a premature literal death. (Prov. 7:23, 26) Verse 18 of chapter 9 concludes: “Her guests are in the depths of the Grave.” Why, then, do many accept her deceptive invitation that leads to tragedy?​—Prov. 9:13-18.

11. Why is viewing pornography extremely harmful?

¹¹ A common trap is pornography. Some think that viewing pornography is harmless. On the contrary, pornography is harmful, degrading, and addictive. Immoral images have staying power; they are difficult to erase from the mind. What is more, pornography does not deaden wrong desires; it inflames them. (Col. 3:5; Jas. 1:14, 15) Yes, many who view pornography go on to commit immoral acts.

12. How do we show that we are on guard against sexually arousing images?

¹² What should we as Christians do if a pornographic image shows up on our electronic device? We should immediately reject the image. We can be helped to take such action if we recall that our most treasured possession is our relationship with Jehovah. Actually, images that are not generally considered pornographic might be sexually arousing. Why avoid them? Because we do not want to take even a small step toward committing adultery in our heart. (Matt. 5:28, 29) An elder in Thailand named David says: “I ask myself: ‘Even though the images may not be pornographic, will Jehovah be pleased if I keep looking at them?’ This kind of reasoning helps me to act wisely.”

13. What helps us to act wisely?

¹³ We are helped to act wisely by cultivating a healthy fear of displeasing Jehovah. Godly fear is “the beginning,” or foundation, “of wisdom.” (Prov. 9:10) This is illustrated positively in the opening part of Proverbs chapter 9, where we read about the other figurative woman, identified as “true wisdom.”

14. What contrasting invitation is presented at Proverbs 9:1-6?

¹⁴ Read Proverbs 9:1-6. Here we read of an invitation that originates with the Source and Foundation of true wisdom, our all-wise Creator. (Prov. 2:6; Rom. 16:27) The imagery here used mentions a large house with seven pillars. This illustrates that Jehovah is generous and welcomes all who want to apply his wisdom in their life.

15. What does God invite us to do?

¹⁵ Jehovah is a generous, abundant Provider. These qualities are reflected in “true wisdom,” personified in Proverbs chapter 9 as a woman. The account mentions that this figurative woman has fully prepared her meat, mixed her wine, and arranged her table in her house. (Prov. 9:2, ftn.) Further, according to verses 4 and 5: “She [personified wisdom] says to the one lacking good sense: ‘Come, eat my bread.’” Why should we come to true wisdom’s house and eat the meal she offers? Jehovah wants his children to be wise and safe. He does not want us to learn life’s lessons the hard way​—through bitter experience and with nagging regrets. That is why “he treasures up practical wisdom for the upright.” (Prov. 2:7) When we have a healthy fear of Jehovah, we will want to please him. We hear his wise counsel, and we are happy to apply it.​—Jas. 1:25.

16. How did godly fear help Alain to make a wise decision, and with what result?

¹⁶ Consider how having godly fear helped Alain to make a wise decision. This Christian elder and school teacher related, “Many of my colleagues regarded pornographic films as a form of sexual education.” But Alain was not deceived. “Out of godly fear,” he said, “I categorically refused to view those films. I also explained the reason why to my colleagues.” He was applying the advice from “true wisdom” to “walk forward in the way of understanding.” (Prov. 9:6) Impressed by Alain’s firm stand, some of his fellow teachers now study the Bible and attend Christian meetings.

17-18. What blessings are being enjoyed by those who accept the invitation from “true wisdom,” and what can they look forward to? (See also picture.)

¹⁷ Using the imagery of two figurative women, Jehovah has laid the basis for us to enjoy a blessed outcome. Those responding to the invitation from the loud and “stupid woman” focus on enjoying “sweet,” secret pleasures. Frankly, they are living for the moment, ignoring the future. Their outcome is in “the depths of the Grave.”​—Prov. 9:13, 17, 18.

¹⁸ How different it is for those who accept the invitation from “true wisdom”! Her guests now enjoy a banquet that is well-arranged and healthful, a feast of well-presented spiritual dishes. (Isa. 65:13) Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah says: “Listen intently to me, and eat what is good, and you will find great delight in what is truly rich.” (Isa. 55:1, 2) We are learning to love what Jehovah loves and to hate what he hates. (Ps. 97:10) And we find satisfaction in inviting others to benefit from “true wisdom.” It is as if we were to “call out from the heights above the city: ‘Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.’” The benefits for us and for those who respond are not just for the here and now. They are enduring, allowing us to “live” forever as we “walk forward in the way of understanding.”​—Prov. 9:3, 4, 6.

19. In harmony with Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, what should we be determined to do? (See also the box “Godly Fear Benefits Us.”)

¹⁹ Read Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14. May godly fear continue to safeguard our heart and help us to stand morally and spiritually upright during these wicked last days. That healthy fear will motivate us to keep on inviting as many as possible to seek “true wisdom” and benefit from it.