<P> It can also mean fear of God's judgment . The fear of God is felt because one understands the "fearful expectation of judgement". Still, this is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love . In Psalms 130: 3 - 4, it is said, "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared ." </P> <P> In the New Testament, this fear is described using the Greek word φόβος (phobos, "fear / horror"), except in 1 Timothy 2: 10, where Paul describes γυναιξὶν ἐπαγγελλομέναις θεοσέβειαν (gynaixin epangellomenais theosebeian), "women professing the fear of God", using the word θεοσέβεια (theosebeia). </P> <P> Roman Catholicism counts this fear as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit . In Proverbs 15: 33, the fear of the Lord is described as the "discipline" or "instruction" of wisdom . Writing in the Catholic Encyclopedia, Jacques Forget explains that this gift "fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread, above all things, to offend Him ." In an April 2006 article published in Inside the Vatican magazine, contributing editor John Mallon writes that the "fear" in "fear of the Lord" is often misinterpreted as "servile fear" (the fear of getting in trouble) when it should be understood as "filial fear" (the fear of offending someone whom one loves). </P> <P> According to Jerry Bridges, "There was a time when committed Christians were known as God - fearing people . This was a badge of honor ." </P>

What does fear of the lord mean catholic