What's the difference between 'for' and because'?

I'd like to know the difference between 'for' and 'because.'

He stayed at home, for it was raining hard.

Can I substitute 'because'  for 'for'?

Thank you so much in advance. ^^

Hi,
I see a lot of learners use "for" instead of "because"... I wonder why they've been taught that way. It's ok, but I don't know how much it's used, apart from in the Bible.

- Hey dude, go get me a screwdriver, for I wanna try to fix rhis damn lawn mower...
- For what? Man, are you stoned?

Don't use "for" there, LOL

In modern, everyday, UK English it would be extremely unusual to use 'for' in this way.   Personally, I'd use 'because' in all of the sample sentences.  I can't really imagine anyone actually saying it.  Perhaps if we lived in a Jane Austen novel...