Today we are taking a pause from Hebrews to talk about something God has laid on my heart. I watched a short video clip of a panel of pastors during a Q&A session. An individual asked the question of the panel, “what is the greatest threat to the church in our generation?” the pastors answered “its pastors” which got a few chuckles from the other panel members, until they realized he was serious. As I watched him explain his reasons I was drawn to tears because he is correct. He talked about the lack of biblical knowledge in our church leaders, and the lack of “the fear of the Lord”, so that is why we find ourselves today in Proverbs. This i believe is a very serious problem, and I would agree with him. I also want to clarify something, I am in no way doing this so that Bro. Bobby and I can be reassured by you all telling us how great we do and that this is not the case in our church. I think this is something that must be addressed. When I listened to this video it broke my heart. If our church leaders do not have biblical knowledge, and they do not have “the fear of the Lord”, then how is the church going to be effective—it won’t be— and that is what we see in our world today. Churches that are not teaching the truth of God’s word. Churches that are not teaching “the fear of the Lord”. Churches that are not discipling their congregations, their communities. Churches who lack the leadership to stand against the attacks of satan through the world. Today we are going to look at six verses from Proverbs 1, which I know many of you know and have heard numerous sermons about. Proverbs 1:2-7, is what we are covering, but we will focus in on verse 7. The book of Proverbs is what is called wisdom literature, it is written in a type of poem form. It is called wisdom literature because it gives us instructions on how to live a life according to God’s word, a wise life. It helps to make us wise if we take it to heart. I want us to have a firm understanding of the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 1:2 ESV

2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,

Verses 2-6 sum up the purpose for the entire book of Proverbs. At the beginning of verse two it is made clear there is wisdom to be had. Let me ask you a question, how many of you want to be smart, how many of you want to be wise? Well it is out there to be had. Let me be very clear the wisdom we are talking about today cannot be obtained without first having a relationship with Christ, you must have a true saving relationship with Him. It is through that relationship we are driven to seek wisdom. Are we seeking wisdom, do we hunger and thirst for righteousness, or are we content with being feed milk. I also want us to understand that there is work for us to do, it takes effort, and sacrifice. People always say well I am to busy, to study God’s word, I do not have time. That is an excuse, what we need to say is that it is not a priority, because we all have enough time, it is just not a priority. The wisdom we are talking about is more than just knowledge, it carries the idea of the skillful use of knowledge in the service to God. Through the study of this book and the rest of God’s word one can learn principles that determine success or failure in the major arenas of life, such as business, personal relationships, family life, and community life. Everything we need to know is found in God’s word.

Proverbs 1:3 ESV

3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

This book helps us to gain these things listed here. It is a continuation of the purpose of Proverbs. Again it is to help us live out the life God calls us to once we enter into a relationship with Him. When we follow God’s instructions these are some of what we gain. We must humble ourselves before God, admitting that we need His guidance and His instruction.

Proverbs 1:4 ESV

4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—

God’s word gives even the simple an edge. This book should be used in the instruction for our young people. It is full of very practical instruction and truths. It also gives us purpose. It is intended to instruct the ignorant and the young alike. Through this instruction they learn to think before they act. To ask the question what would God want me to do in this situation. When we give pause and focus on God it lessens the likelihood of sin occurring.

Proverbs 1:5 ESV

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Not only is this book for the simple and the young, but it is for the wise and discerning. This encompasses all of us. God’s word is not just for theological scholars, it is for everyone. It is written in a manner that it reaches every area of our life.

Proverbs 1:6 ESV

6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Another purpose is the understanding of proverbs—sayings—and riddles. Solomon wants to challenge our minds. Our mind is no different than any of our other muscles. When you work it, it becomes stronger and more effective. We must exercise our minds, it is an amazing thing that God has given us. We must also be wise about what we use our mind for as well —God in God out—. We should fill our minds with the things of God, use His word to exercise our minds—Paul says renew our minds, which is done with God’s word.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This verse can be seen as the theme of the book of Proverbs. It is a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom—fear of the Lord—. This is where it all starts, true wisdom starts with God. Now what do we mean “the fear of the Lord”. To fear God is the beginning of wisdom. Knowing and understanding who God is, what He has done for us, and what He continues to do for us. This reverential awe and admiring submissive fear is fundamental for all spiritual knowledge and wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is a state of mind in which one’s own attitudes, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God’s” (John MacArthur). Now I want to be very clear this is not a scared fear that should motivate us, because if that is your motivation you are in a bad place and need to change directions. To fear God is to honor Him, revere Him, and give Him the proper place in our lives. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:28 we should not fear man, but fear the one who can destroy both body and soul. Sounds pretty scary right. Well God is not sitting back just waiting and hoping He can destroy us. What are the wages of sin —death—. It is our sin, our rejection of the good news that would cause us to lose our body and soul in hell. God is perfectly just for His punishment. What can man do to us —nothing that will last. But when we fear man and reject God it has eternal consequences. The proper fear of the Lord comes from our hearts not our emotions. The fear of the Lord causes us to love God with all of our being, and gives us a desire to follow His commands, a desire to love and serve Him, a desire to honor and glorify Him, a desire to make Him the king of our lives. Without Christ in your heart, without a true saving relationship with Jesus what you face is eternal separation from God, and that should cause you to fear. But for those who do have a saving relationship with Christ our fear should motivate us, set us on fire for God’s work. Cause us to focus on Him, and what He has called us to do in His kingdom. I listened to a guy talking about an interview he had with a very prominent pastor what had gotten caught in some bad sins. When he asked the pastor why, did he no longer love Jesus, he said the answer shocked him. The pastor said yes I still love Jesus, but I had stopped fearing God. He lost his focus. The fear of the Lord should permeate every area of our lives. WE should be teaching our young people the fear of the Lord, as well as the world around us.

The Fear of the Lord