HIS FEAR – MY WISDOM

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…– Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is a basic requirement for triumph in life. It is a vital prerequisite for registering in the University of Wisdom. How then do we reconcile the LOVE of God with His FEAR being the genesis of WISDOM? How can we explain the seeming paradox of the God of love affirming that wisdom begins when we fear Him?

The term “fear of God” in the Scriptures is certainly not contradictory. This is the kind of fear that overwhelmed Isaiah when in God’s presence, he cried out: “Woe to me! for I am undone…” (Isaiah 6:5). It is what petrified the disciples when they heard God’s voice at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:6). This fear flattened John the beloved facedown at the sight of the glorified Son (Revelation 1:17). The fear of God includes but exceeds the awe and reverence of God. This fear takes God and His holiness seriously, more for His overwhelming greatness than for the panic of punishment.

To approach the thrice Holy One like a casual acquaintance is to disrespect His Personality and to deny reality. We appreciate and experience the fear of God as we imagine standing on the edge of the vast, bottomless gulf that separates humanity from Him, and behold the inestimable price He paid to bridge that gulf. The fear of God includes the fear of what our fate would have been if we had never encountered the gospel.

Wisdom is rooted in purity: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (Jam.3:17). Purity is the primary condition to register for the principal thing - Wisdom! Purity provides automatic access to supernatural wisdom.
• Joseph enrolled in the School of Wisdom by possessing the fear of God; and wisdom lifted him to the platform of dominion.
• Purity distinguished Daniel in wisdom and power. It gives access to the instructions of wisdom, which lead to distinction on earth.
• Walking in purity safeguards the sanctity of the mind.

The fear of God implies the hatred of SIN. Sin is a sinker, a stinker, a destroyer, a poison to the soul, and a millstone tied round the neck of the sinner. Those who toy with sin risk sinking their destiny in it! Those who mock at sin, end up in mockery.

The fear of God demands absolute dedication to Him. When we truly fear God, we appreciate and understand His eternal vastness and the unlimited power of the gospel. That understanding begins to rearrange our lives practically – and that is wisdom!

God’s love does not negate the fear of God. A true understanding of His love begins with an overwhelming awareness of His greatness, holiness, and power as they contrast man’s sinful nature. This is the beginning of what shapes our values, relationships, work, prayers—everything we think and do. This is what will make us wise.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).