Wisdom in Proverbs – Fear of the Lord

Proverbs is in a section of the Bible known at "Wisdom Literature. " The other books in this section are Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes and The Song Of Solomon. The focus of these books is instruct men in the ways of the Lord. 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 was pleasing to the Lord. Proverbs mainly referring to wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 is the first point. A. What does the phrase "the fear of the LORD" refer to? When we think of fear, we associate the word with terror.

Webster's Dictionary defines fear as "a feeling of anxiety and agitation produced by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc. " For many, this would describe the feeling you get when you see a snake, or going to the dentist. Surely, this is not the point that Solomon was referring to. B. What, then, does it mean to fear the Lord? When we truly fear the Lord, we will recognize that He is the Master and we are the servants. This attitude will manifest itself in our having a respect for God, His word and in our having a desire to do what He tells us to in His Bible. ( Pro. 8:13).

People who do not walk in line with God's Word do not fear the Lord, regardless of what they profess with their lips. Therefore, when we fear the Lord, there is an elements of dread at what His wrath can do, but there is also such a respect for Him and for His will that nothing else matters but doing that which pleases the Lord. Oswald Chambers, said "The remarkable thing about fearing God is that, when you fear God, you fear nothing else; therefore, if you do not fear God, you fear everything else. ") C. Would you describe your life as one lived in the fear of God? Does the dread of His wrath prompt you to holiness?

Does respect for Him and for His will propel you toward obedience and godliness? We need to fear of the Lord in our lives! According to this book, the fear of the Lord will produce certain benefits in your life. When we fear the Lord, we will find certain things to be true. ) A. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33 - It Is The Beginning Of Wisdom “The best place to begin the search for true wisdom is in the fear of the Lord. ” True fear of the Lord is born out of a knowledge of how infinitely powerful, majestic and full of goodness God is. Before one can grow in the Lord, he must first learn to fear the Lord. B. :7; 16:6 - It Motivates People To Holiness These verse tell us that the fear of the Lord promotes holy living. The person who truly reverences and respects the Lord as he should will not do anything that brings disgrace, dishonor or pain to the heart of the Lord. People who genuinely fear the Lord will flee from evil. The prospect of causing the Lord pain will be too great to bear! Job is a great example of what the fear of the Lord will produce in your life, Job 1:8 C. 10:27 - It Prolongs Life - This is not a blanket promise because any number of things can happen along the road of life that can take us out of here in an instant.

However, generally speaking, 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. Approximately 60% of human illnesses can be traced directly or indirectly to fear, sorrow, envy, resentment, guilt, hatred, or to any number of emotional stresses. Add to that the awful pain caused by alcohol, smoking, and even cancer and heart disease, we can see that a life lived in the fear of the Lord with obedience to His Word will result in a much healthier existence. D. 4:26 - It Produces A Sense Of Security - When we are walking in the fear of the Lord, we can have confidence that God is on our side. Notice Romans 8:31, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? " The person who is walking in the fear of the Lord and is living by the Book will have fewer feelings of insecurity, abandonment and fear. There will be far fewer times when salvation is doubted. The fear of the Lord produces a strong sense of security and close fellowship with the Father. This is a huge benefit to us!

E. 14:27 - It Produces Life - When we walk in the fear of the Lord, we are stronger spiritually than we could be otherwise. The fear of the Lord is like a fountain that continually springs up with spiritual vitality and strength. This enables the Christian to walk cleaner and closer thus avoiding the temptations and traps of the devil. ) F. 15:16 - It Makes All Of Life Better - (Ill. This verse teaches us that 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.

The bottom line here is this, when you are in the Lord's will, and when you are walking in His fear, then your care is His responsibility, Matt. 6:25-33; Phil. 4:19. The life filled with "things" and riches is a trouble filled life. The life lived in faith and in the fear of God is literally carefree. ) G. 19:23 - It Produces Satisfaction And Safety (Ill. The person who lives in the fear of God will be a satisfied person. They will have one goal in live, pleasing the Lord, and it will have been met. Therefore, they will have all their needs met and they will be happy.

When we must have other stuff to make us happy, we never will be! When we learn to be satisfied with the Lord and with the privilege of walking in His fear, we will be permanently satisfied. Nothing will matter but the smile of God and it will be upon our lives. Notice, this verse says that this kind of person will not be visited with evil. The person who walks in the genuine fear of the Lord need never fear going to Hell, he need never fear many of the things that beset the world around him. By his walk in the fear of the Lord, he brings the smile and the hedge of God into his life, Job 1:10. H. 22:4 - It Brings Great Blessings - (Ill. The person who chooses to walk in the fear of the Lord can rest assured that this decision will bring great blessings into his life. There will be spiritual riches beyond belief, (peace, joy, hope, security, the promises of God, the presence of God, etc. ), there will be honor from the Lord, and there will be abundant life, John 10:10. The fear of the Lord, produces the greatest possible life that any person can ever live. There is no better life upon this earth than a life lived in the will of the Lord! )

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