Cultivating Awe Through Spiritual Disciplines
The cultivation of awe through spiritual disciplines is deeply rooted in biblical teaching and theological tradition, often centering on the "fear of the Lord" as a foundational concept. Proverbs 15:33 states, "The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility" [1]. This fear is not a cowering terror but a profound reverence and respect for God's majesty and authority [9]. It is considered the "beginning of wisdom" and, in some interpretations, wisdom itself [3].
Spiritual disciplines, often referred to as "discipline" or "instruction" in ancient texts, serve as means by which this awe is nurtured. The Greek term paideia, used in Scripture, signifies instruction, often through corrective training [2]. This concept of discipline extends beyond mere intellectual understanding to encompass a holistic formation of character. John Calvin emphasizes the necessity of discipline within the Church, comparing it to the "sinews" that hold the body together, essential for its well-ordered state [7]. one tradition argues that without discipline, even a household cannot be kept in order, let alone the Church [7].
The grace of God itself is understood to exercise discipline, guiding believers through chastisements and instruction [5]. This divine discipline teaches individuals to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" [5]. Such training is crucial for navigating an age whose spirit often opposes self-discipline [5]. Augustine, in his exposition on the Psalms, speaks of praying for sweetness, understanding, and knowledge, acknowledging that these are sought by those "making progress" in their faith [2]. This suggests an ongoing process of growth and refinement through spiritual practices.
Awe is also fostered through a recognition of God's pervasive influence and power. Charles Hodge describes a "general influence of the Spirit" or "common grace" that underpins all decorum, order, refinement, and virtue among humanity [6]. This divine agent is also responsible for the general fear of God and religious feeling that prevails, securing a measure of outward morality [6]. This broader understanding of God's active presence in the world can inspire awe even in those who may not fully comprehend His saving grace.
For the believer, the Spirit's work is more profound, enabling them to perceive "the glory of God as revealed in his works and in his word" [8]. This includes discerning the holiness of the law, the sinfulness of sin, and the vastness of redemption [8]. Such spiritual insight elevates the soul, allowing it to live in a "higher sphere" and become increasingly heavenly in character [8]. This heightened perception of God's attributes naturally leads to a deeper sense of awe.
The cultivation of awe through spiritual disciplines also involves a humble recognition of one's place before God. Calvin notes that the fear of the Lord is uniformly attributed to all saints [3]. While believers are called to work out their salvation "with fear and trembling," this is not meant to instill terror or prevent security in God's mercy [4]. Instead, it serves to repress temerity and vain confidence that might arise from the "remains of the flesh" [4]. This balance between reverence and assurance is a hallmark of mature faith.
Sources
- Proverbs “The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. -- Proverbs 15:33”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXIX.(2) (part 25): 63. "O learn me sweetness, and understanding, and knowledge," he saith," for I have believed Thy commandments" (ver. 66). He prayeth these things may be increased and perfected. For they who said, "Lord, increase our faith,"(6) had faith. And as long as we live in this world, these are the words of those who are making progress. But he addeth, "understanding," or, as most copies read, "discipline." Now the word discipline, for which the Greeks use <greek>padeia</greek> is employed in Scripture, where instruction through ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: to save us we shall be delivered; and here we begin again to breathe. But, ascending to a loftier height, let us seek the city of God, let us seek the temple, let us seek our home, let us seek our spouse. I have not forgotten myself when, with fear and reverence, I say, We are,—are in the heart of God. We are, by his dignifying, not by our own dignity.” 26. Moreover, the fear of the Lord, which is uniformly attributed to all the saints, and which, in one passage, is called “the beginning of wisdom,” in another wisdom itself, althou”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: and so abused the goodness of God to their own destruction. But though you should hold that the words were addressed to elect believers, no inconsistency will follow. It is one thing, in order to prevent believers from indulging vain confidence, to repress the temerity which, from the remains of the flesh, sometimes gains upon them, and it is another thing to strike terror into their consciences, and prevent them from feeling secure in the mercy of God. 23. Then, when he bids us work out our salvation with fear and trembling, all h”
- Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:12: Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is oppos”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: general influence of the Spirit (or to common grace), we owe, — 1. All the decorum, order, refinement, and virtue existing among men. Mere fear of future punishment, the natural sense of right, and the restraints of human laws, would prove feeble barriers to evil, were it not for the repressing power of the Spirit, which, like the pressure of the atmosphere, is universal and powerful, although unfelt. 2. To the same divine agent is due specially that general fear of God, and that religious feeling which prevail among men, and which secur”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 94: and then proceed to the clergy, who have besides that common discipline one peculiar to themselves. But as some, from hatred of discipline, are averse to the very name, for their sake we observe,—If no society, nay, no house with even a moderate family, can be kept in a right state without discipline, much more necessary is it in the Church, whose state ought to be the best ordered possible. Hence as the saving doctrine of Christ is the life of the Church, so discipline is, as it were, its sinews; for to it it is owing that the mem”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 32: the opened eye of the believer is able to discern. The Spirit enables him to see the glory of God as revealed in his works and in his word; the holiness 230 and spirituality of the law; the exceeding sinfulness of sin; his own guilt, pollution, and helplessness; the length and breadth, the height and depth of the economy of redemption; and the reality glory, and infinite importance of the things unseen and eternal. The soul is thus raised above the world. It lives in a higher sphere. It becomes more and more heavenly in its character and ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 15:33: See here how much it is our interest, as well as duty, 1. To submit to our God, and keep up a reverence for him: The fear of the Lord, as it is the beginning of wisdom, so it is the instruction and correction of wisdom; the principles of religion, closely adhered to, will improve our knowledge, rectify our mistakes, and be the best and surest guide of our way. An awe of God upon our spirits will put us upon the wisest counsels and chastise us when we say or do unwisely. 2. To stoop to our brethren, and keep up a respect for them. Where there is humility there i”