Message summary:  Just as we need to have a healthy fear of electricity we need to have a healthy fear of God. Essentially a healthy fear of God creates a healthy fear of sin. Thank God for providing a "Godly Fear Interrupter".

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“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning’” (Exodus 20:20). "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1,2).

The GFI (AKA Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI) is a device intended to protect people from electric shocks caused by faults in the electrical devices we use every day. Ground fault protection was invented by Charles Dalziel, a professor at the University of California, whose specialty was research into electrical shock safety in 1961. The Ground Fault Interrupter instantly shuts off the current to any receptacle that shorts, for instance - if you dropped a plugged in hair dryer in water. Most homes have these devices near sinks.

GFI's have greatly reduced the number of deadly electrocutions and likely many thousands have been saved through the device's use. Yet most have never heard of Charles Dalziel and probably take the GFI's in their homes for granted.

But when a GFI works properly it can be annoying! Let’s say I’m working on a project using a corded electric drill that has a short. I plug it into a long extension cord that is plugged into a GFI protected receptacle and begin my project only to have the power trip off. I walk back and reset the GFI and try again. It again trips. I may decide to bypass the GFI and run a cord through the window and plug it into a non-protected outlet. Would that be a smart move or stupid?

Regular readers know I often draw spiritual lessons from the ordinary experiences and observations of life. It occurs to me that we need a GFI type device in our own spiritual lives. Among the many topics that some employees have confided in me as their chaplain is their struggle with pornography. A number of men have approached me seeking help in this regard and Brooksyne has dealt with women who also have struggles related to the pernicious effects of pornography.

It would be so helpful if I could offer them a GFI type device that would instantly shut off the source of evil, in whatever form it may appear. Perhaps it might include a harmless but stunning shock as well, much like a shock collar for a dog about to go outside his safe boundaries!

Today, let's consider another GFI we need. Based on the first daily text I will call it a "Godly Fear Interrupter". It's an aspect of God’s grace that creates a healthy fear of sin and its long-lasting consequences. Essentially a healthy fear of God creates a healthy fear of sin.

It seems to me that John Newton likely had this in mind when he wrote Amazing Grace. This is one of the best known hymns that many of us know word for word. But have you ever stopped to consider what John Newton meant when he wrote these words? “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.”

The Word Of God is a powerful tool the Holy Spirit uses to bring a healthy fear and sobering conviction when we sin. "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11).

Today’s first text is in the context of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and his mighty encounter with God on Mount Sinai. The people were terrified at the presence of the Lord and verses 18 & 19  read, “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die’.”

Our daily text follows this: “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning’” (Exodus 20:20). On the surface the statement may seem somewhat contradictory. He seems to be saying, “Do not be afraid” and then affirms the power of the fear of God to keep from sinning.

Through grace we need not tremble in fear of God’s presence but we do need to fear God in the sense of His awesome, divine Being. In the New Testament Peter wrote these simple commands, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

The famous hymn “Amazing Grace” states in the remainder of the second stanza:

Indeed God’s convicting grace brings about a fear and conviction of sin. God’s saving grace brings forgiveness and release from sin. God’s grace really is amazing! Thank God for providing a "Godly Fear Interrupter".

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13