The Fear Of The Lord Series

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It doesn’t take long scanning the radio, flipping through the channels on the T.V, or scrolling through the internet before you will hear some so called “preacher” telling you how to live a “blessed life”. Almost inevitably he will tell you that the key to blessedness is to have enough faith, or to give his “ministry” a certain amount of money. Even among solid and biblical preachers the topics of holiness and the fear of God are rarely even mentioned. This is a tragedy because these attributes are essential in living a truly blessed life.

Recently I mentioned to a pastor friend of mine that I had been studying about holiness and in response he said, “my grandmother was raised holiness”. When I speak of holiness I am not referring to a religious denomination; I am referring to the separated and righteous life that God expects from His Children.

On several occasions in the scriptures God says to His people “Be holy, for I am holy”. We will never achieve sinless perfection this side of Heaven, but we must strive to be distinct from the world. For us to live in such a way, we must possess a genuine fear of the Lord.

In Proverbs 1:7, two classes of people are mentioned; Those who "fear the Lord" and those who do not. Those who fear the Lord are wise; those who do not fear Him are foolish.

I would like to examine several different proverbs and consider what it really means to fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord is not the kind of fear that would cause one to run and hide in terror. To "fear the Lord" means to be in awe of Him. It speaks of a "reverential" fear, one that produces worship and obedience. The fear of the Lord is a respect for the greatness, and the glorious nature of God.

Throughout the Bible we find many passages that describe the characteristics of one who fears the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 shows us that:

I. THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD, KNOW THE LORD

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”

Before one can truly fear God they must know Him. When we know Him personally and continue to learn of Him, the more we will fear Him. As a result our desire to please, honor, and glorify Him will continuously increase.

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

All who practice it have a good understanding…”

It is only when someone comes to truly understand who God is that they begin to fear Him. As their knowledge of the Lord increases, so does their fear. On the other hand, those who do not fear the Lord are “fools (who) despise wisdom and instruction. Listen to what Proverbs 1:28-31 says about those who do not choose to fear the Lord:

“Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

would have none of my counsel

and despised all my reproof,

therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,

and have their fill of their own devices.”

Destruction awaits those who do not fear the Lord. On the other hand, new life is available for those who fear the Lord.

Proverbs 14:27 “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life...”

Through Christ we have received a new life. This new life comes with a new relationship. We are the Children of God; we have been born into His eternal family. As a result we have the opportunity to commune with God. Through the Holy Scriptures & the Holy Spirit we learn of Him. We learn of the wrath that we have been delivered from. We learn of His love that we experience on a daily basis. And we learn that as our Heavenly Father, God will chastise us when we sin. These and many other truths concerning our new life will cause us to fear Him more and more.

When we truly fear the Lord we will have a desire to do what pleases Him and we will seek to avoid what displeases Him. Those who know the Lord will fear the Lord and this fear produces obedience. Notice that:

II. THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD WILL OBEY THE LORD

When we have a healthy fear of the Lord we will turn from sin. We will seek to live a holy and honorable life that pleases God. This fact is covered in several other Proverbs: