Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Let’s continue our study of what Proverbs has to say about the fear of the Lord. I pointed out that the title I came up with for this study was: The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning and End of Wisdom. Under that, the first point I want us to focus on is this: What happens when you choose not to fear the Lord. In Proverbs 1:29 it says that if you don’t choose to fear the Lord there will be some dire consequences. And when those consequences begin to emerge it will be too late to call on the Lord in prayer, because verse 28 says God will not answer. And if you search for God you won’t be able to find Him. You leave yourself vulnerable to evil when you choose not to fear the Lord. In Proverbs 3:7 it encourages you to “fear the Lord and shun evil.” And in Proverbs 8:13 it explains, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” In the context it’s clear that a wise person hates what is in opposition to the very character of the Lord. That’s why Proverbs 14:16 declares, “A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil.” And Proverbs 16:6 explains, “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.” If you incorporate what the New Testament says about the provision of Jesus Christ as our Savior it would read, “Through Christ’s love and faithfulness sin is atoned for.” Since all of us have sinned and come short of God’s holiness we need forgiveness. But once forgiven we need to “fear the Lord” so we will be encouraged and enabled to avoid evil.