If so, consider what it means to be a Christian. According to the Bible, being a Christian involves following closely in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:21) Now, while there is no doubt that Jesus loved God, the Bible makes it very plain that he also feared him. Isaiah, speaking prophetically about Jesus, said that he would have “the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 11:2) Interestingly, though, this fear was not a burden on Jesus. We should not think of it as being the way a child fears a brutal father or a population is terrorized by an oppressive ruler. In fact, Isaiah also prophesied about Jesus: “There will be enjoyment by him in the fear of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 11:3) How can you enjoy being afraid of someone?

The fact is, in the Bible the word “fear” has a number of shades of meaning. There is the physical fear or dread that we feel when someone wants to do us harm. Thus, the Israelite armies “were very much afraid” of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:23, 24) Then there is the fear of the startlingly unexpected or unknown, such as Zechariah felt when suddenly confronted by Jehovah’s angel in the temple. (Luke 1:11, 12) However, the fear Jesus felt for his Father was unlike either of these.

Rather, the original Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible for “fear” often refer to a profound reverence and awe of God. Such was the godly fear that Jesus had and that the angel was encouraging everyone today to cultivate. This respectful awe, or fear, takes root in our heart when we meditate on Jehovah’s might and power and compare it with our own absolute insignificance. It grows when we contemplate his mighty works, and it is also developed by prayerfully remembering the fact that he is the Supreme Judge, with the power to give life as well as to punish with everlasting death.

At Psalm 19:9 we are taught: “The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever. The judicial decisions of Jehovah are true; they have proved altogether righteous.” So there is nothing negative about the fear of God. It is pure and protective and makes a servant of God stronger than his enemies. Like Jesus, a Christian finds satisfaction in this fear in the same way that he enjoys all other blessings from Jehovah.​—Isaiah 11:3.