The Fear of the Lord, Part 2

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil.” Proverbs 1:29-33

The opposite of “the fear of the LORD” is exemplified by those who set their hearts to go their own way; those who deny the very existence of God, who believe there are no absolutes and certainly no final authority, no final judgement. How many people who have grown up in a supposedly “Christian” nation have rejected the truth which they have heard?

Paul tells us: “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man...Therefore God gave them over...” (Romans 1:21-24).

That description of lost humanity, which Paul wrote in the first century, is still as accurate today. Without the fear of the Lord, the natural human pathway is downward. Do you see where today’s mindset is taking the world? Christian friend, check the direction of your heart. Is it going the same way as the world? Or is it set on a righteous course due to the fear of the Lord?

“How blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who greatly delights in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1