There’s a Proverb that reads: “by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil” (Proverbs 16:6 RSV). The fear of the Lord is often defined as our “awareness that” God is constantly “watching [us in love] and evaluating” our actions, words, and attitudes. When we or our kids are aware that God’s watching us, we’ll be far less likely to sin. This Biblical principle can also work to protect us from it. Encourage those you love—when attacked—to pray out loud to Almighty God to help. Remind yourself that God’s watching everything we do. It can also work when we’re physically attacked. These words can send shivers up the spine of our attacker. Many people have actually seen these words drive people away. The fear of the Lord is a good thing.

Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Suggested Reading: Proverbs 3:7,, Proverbs 16:6