"Conduct yourselves... in fear"

This is one of a handful of Bible quotes that, taken out of context, could cause heartless legalism and formless fear.

"And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay [here] in fear...." (1 Peter 1:17, NKJV)

Other such quotes could include these:

"Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...." (2 Corinthians 5:11a, NKJV)

"The fear of the Lord [is] the beginning of wisdom " (Proverbs 9:10, NKJV)

"For the one eating and drinking [wrongfully], eats and drinks judgement on himself, not discerning the body. Because of this, among you are many weak and sickly and a considerable number sleep. Now, if were judging ourselves, we would not judge! Being judged, however, by the Lord, we are chastized, so that we not be condemned with the world." (1 Corinthians 11:29-32, CFB)

The wisdom of fearing God is like the wisdom of fearing a country's justice system (police, law courts, etc.).

This is clarified by the Holy Bible.

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. " (1 John 4:17-18, NKJV)