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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” Proverbs 9:10-12.
As a younger Christian, I used to believe that “to fear God” was to be afraid of Him and afraid of what He would do to you if you disobeyed Him! I later learned that “fear of the Lord” is a reverential awe of Him based on who He is – that is, the Most Holy One, the King of kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the universe … the list goes on. The beauty of this is that this act of obedience (fearing the Lord) is attached to a promise “…for through wisdom, your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;” Proverbs 9:11-12. In essence, this means that Wisdom begins when we have a right relationship with God, and has a promise of long life and personal benefit.
What does it really mean to Fear the Lord?
It is to put God in His rightful place in your life as Lord and King. It means yielding your will to His will and living to please Him and not ourselves. It also means growing to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. In this world, we have consciously or unconsciously developed a tolerance for evil things that oppose the nature and will of God. We see these things on the television, and on the streets, and we hear them on the radio. As Christians, we are in constant opposition to the world’s value system and what it permits—whether in what children are taught in school, choices about sexuality, gender, or morality. To fear God is to live a life that honours His Word, adopting it as a lifestyle, even if it means standing as a minority.
So, if I’m a Christian, am I automatically made wise?
The simple answer to this question is NO! As we know from King Solomon in the book of Kings he asks for understanding to rule the people and the Lord is delighted with his sincere request (1 Kings 3:9-12) but again the Lord asks him to “walk in my ways” (1 Kings 3:14) which we see King Solomon fail to do sadly. Therefore, as Christians, we must continue to fear the Lord to gain spiritual wisdom, which enables us to apply knowledge rightly—knowledge that comes from understanding and spiritual insight given by the Spirit of God within us.
Where the Fear of God and Wisdom Are Mentioned in the Bible
- Proverbs 2 – The pursuit of wisdom brings security.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 – Jesus is revealed as the power and wisdom of God.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Emphasises the importance of fearing God, linking to Proverbs 9:10.
- Hebrews 12:28 – Encourages offering worship with awe and reverence.
- Proverbs 1:20-33 – Wisdom personified warns us to follow Godly counsel and turn from our ways.
How can we walk in the fear of the Lord?
- Give God Your Everything – Hold nothing back; don’t approach God half-heartedly. Commit yourself fully, surrendering every part of your life—thoughts, actions, and desires. God calls us to be wholehearted, hot or cold, not lukewarm but pouring all we are into our relationship with Him.
- Offer Unrivalled Awe – God alone is worthy of our highest reverence and deepest devotion. Let your worship reflect awe that belongs to Him alone, a response to His holiness, power, and love. This is the purest form of worship, given with an open heart and spirit.
- Unparalleled Allegiance – Serve God with a loyal and undivided heart. Let your love, obedience, and commitment be unmatched, reflecting what He commands in Deuteronomy 10:12: to love and serve Him with all your heart and soul. This is complete surrender, an allegiance that places God above all else.
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11
Dear Saints, may we continue to choose God through our thoughts, choices and lifestyle because He truly is worthy of it all! Nothing and no one compares to Him, He has no match. If you have not been living a life that glorifies God, it is not too late to start now to put God in His rightful place in your life.