The fear of God is an attitude of reverence and respect towards God, which passes progressively through the following stages:
• An awareness that God is the owner of our souls, and has the power to grant us eternal salvation or to eternally condemn us in hell. Although the motivation generated by this fear is completely selfish, it is preferable to have no fear of God
• An awareness that God is constantly looking at everything we think, say and do, and that He has the power to reward or punish us according to our behavior; which should motivate us to be careful and stay away from evil
• A conscious and permanent desire to please God in everything we do and not offend His holiness
• A humble acknowledgment that He is God and we are His creatures, and therefore, He is worthy to be feared and revered.
