Proverbs 1:7
Ps Paul Cheng
“…yet it is so vital to the Christian faith…”
~5 min read
Dear Bethelites,
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
The book of Proverbs is a collection of teachings from Solomon to his son, showing the young man how to live his life in a manner that would be pleasing to the Lord. If there is a key verse that projects the purpose of this wonderful book, it would be this verse. This is a subject that has not been preached and emphasised in our time, yet it is so vital to the Christian faith.
The phrase the fear of the Lord has been repeated a total of 14 times in the book of Proverbs and in many other places in the Bible. Much emphasis has been placed on this subject and if the believer wants to grow in his knowledge and relationship with God, he must begin with the fear of the Lord.
I. The Meaning Of The Fear Of The Lord
When one thinks of fear, he would almost always associate the word with terror. The dictionary defines fear as “a feeling of anxiety and agitation produced by the presence of impending danger, evil, pain, etc.” For many, they would describe the feeling of fear as being afraid of heights, or seeing a snake, or visiting the dentist, or finding themselves in situations of extreme danger. Most certainly, this is not the kind of fear that the writer of Proverbs was referring to.
The word fear in this context has been described as reverence, awe or great respect. It means to have a deep reverence and respect for the Lord. Literally, one is to be awed and humbled by His presence. When one truly fears the Lord, he will recognize and acknowledge that God is the Creator and he is the creature, God is the Master and he is the servant, God is the Father and he is His child. This attitude will manifest itself in his having respect and reverence for God and His Word.
Consider the following illustration when parents give instructions to the child. If the right kind of fear is present, the child would know that his parents would discipline him if there is disobedience but more importantly, overriding that fear is the knowledge that his disobedience would hurt his parents whom he loves and respects. He does not want to grieve them! To put it simply, the fear of the Lord is a deep seated reverence for God that causes men to want to please Him at all costs.
True and genuine fear of the Lord is always seen in our obedience to the Word of God. Proverbs 15:33, The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. People who do not walk in obedience to God’s Word do not fear the Lord, regardless of what they may profess with their lips. Therefore, when one fears the Lord, there is an element of dread at what His wrath can do, but there is also the love and respect for God.
II. The Benefits Of The Fear Of The Lord
According to the book of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord will produce certain benefits in our lives.
It Is The Beginning Of Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. True fear of the Lord is born out of a knowledge that God is powerful, infinite, majestic and full of goodness.
It Promotes Holiness
Proverbs 3:7, Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6, By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Job is a classic example of what the fear of the Lord will produce in life (cf. Job 1:8).
It Prolongs Life
Proverbs 10:27, The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. This is not a blanket promise because any number of things can happen along the road of life that can take us out of this world in an instant. However, in a general sense, those who live in the fear of the Lord are more likely to live to a good old age than those who live for the flesh and the world.
It Produces A Strong Confidence And Security
Proverbs 14:26, In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord produces a strong sense of security and close fellowship with the Father (cf. Romans 8:31).
It Produces Life
Proverbs 14:27, The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. The fear of the Lord is like a fountain that continually springs up with spiritual vitality and strength and righteousness, avoiding the temptations and snares of the devil which lead to death.
It Is Better Than Great Treasure
Proverbs 15:16, Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. It is better to have limited resources and be in the will of God than it is to have plenty and the trouble that comes along with it.
It Brings Great Blessings
Proverbs 22:4, By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. The person who chooses to walk in the fear of the Lord can rest assured that this decision will bring great spiritual riches like peace, joy, hope, security, the promises of God, the presence of God, etc.
III. The Response To The Fear Of The Lord
A decision to live a life that is ordered around a holy, reverential fear for the Lord is one that you must make for yourself. Such a decision will mean the person will want to honour God in everything. God will be the centre and priority of his life. The Bible will take precedence over his personal will and desires. God’s way becomes the only way. On the other hand, a decision to live outside the fear of the Lord is to live as one pleases, and the things of God will be secondary and other matters will consistently be placed ahead of God and His Word. It will be a life lived without the fruit of the Spirit and it will not bring the blessings of God. This is not the way God intended for the Christian to live.
Have you been walking in the fear of the Lord? If not, humble yourself before God’s greatness and His glory that He may cause you to walk in reverential fear of Him. May the Bethelites always be a people who fear the Lord and prove it by living in obedience to His Word!
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
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