"Conversation" and "Fear"

Another oldie but goodie! I originally posted this in August 2007 ... it's fun to look back and see where my mind was at that moment in time. That was almost 16 YEARS ago! Back when I was still a pretty new believer. We were living in Omaha (our home town), but still taking care of a former house we had for a while in Iowa.

Here's the complete, original post. Enjoy!

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1 Peter 1:15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

We were listening to a sermon on the way to mow our other lawn today (that was a hard job!) and this passage was read. Actually, just vs. 17 was read along with other verses in other books ... but I liked the two before it so I thought I'd better put them too. We are to be holy in all manner of conversation. Remember though, 'conversation' does not just mean what comes out of our mouths!!! Webster's says:
General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals (see Phil. i and 1 Peter i).
So, everything about us should be holy because the Lord is holy & we are to strive to be like Him. We are to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear (Webster's: In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and His laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience). Remember wives, we are to have a chaste (pure; free from obscenity; uncorrupt) conversation, coupled with fear! Some people think this fear is wrong or bad, however the Bible says:

Psalm 19:9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Here's some more verses about fear:

Psalm 96: 9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Psalm 103:17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psalm 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 112:1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalm 128:1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 14:2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Proverbs 14: 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 15:16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Proverbs 31:30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

WELL, I could put so many other verses down, but I want to get off this computer now!!! Just know that FEARING THE LORD is a good thing :o)