The Beginning of Wisdom

Text: Proverbs 1:1–7 Theme: The fear of the Lord is the foundation for true wisdom.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We come before You today with open hearts and minds. As we begin this journey through the book of Proverbs, we ask for Your Spirit to guide us into truth. Help us not just to hear Your Word but to be transformed by it. Teach us to walk in wisdom—not the wisdom of this world, but the wisdom that comes from fearing You, revering You, and trusting in You fully. Clear away distractions and soften our hearts to receive what You have for us today. May Jesus be exalted, and may Your Word shape the way we live. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Introduction:

We live in an age overflowing with information. A quick internet search can answer almost any question. But with all this knowledge, people are still confused about how to live. Why? Because knowledge alone doesn’t lead to wisdom.

Wisdom is the ability to apply truth rightly in real life. It’s not just about what you know but how you live—and who you live for. Proverbs was written to give us insight for daily living, but the foundation is crucial: and that is what we are going to address today in todays text. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7)

Until we recognize who God is and where we stand before Him, we cannot begin to walk wisely.

Proverbs 1:1–7 NKJV

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I. Why Proverbs Was Written (vv. 1–4)

King Solomon, known for his wisdom, begins by telling us why this book exists. It’s not just for the scholars or the experienced—it’s for anyone who desires to live rightly before God.

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight…” (v. 2)

Wisdom here means skill in living—applying God’s truth to life’s decisions (cf. Colossians 1:9–10

Colossians 1:9–10 NKJV

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Instruction implies discipline and correction. It’s how God trains us, often through His Word and through the experiences He allows (Hebrews 12:10–11

Hebrews 12:10–11 NKJV

10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Understanding means discernment—seeing through the fog of life with clarity.

This wisdom is especially needed for the young and the inexperienced, but also for those who want to grow deeper in spiritual maturity.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 – Scripture trains us for righteousness and equips us for every good work.

Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the Lord is perfect… making wise the simple.”

Proverbs is God’s gift—not just to make us smarter, but to make us godlier.

II. Keep Growing in Wisdom (v. 5)

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance…” (v. 5)

Even the wise never “arrive.” True wisdom produces humility—a posture of always being teachable.

Wisdom is not a destination; it’s a direction.

Proverbs 9:9 – “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser…”

The more you walk with God, the more you realize how much more there is to learn.

James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…”

Philippians 1:6 – God is still at work in us, shaping us more and more into the image of His Son.

This means we must have ears to hear, hearts ready to obey, and minds willing to be shaped.

Psalm 119:98–100 – God's commands give us more wisdom than our teachers or enemies.

III. The Fear of the Lord (v. 7)

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

This verse is the foundation for the entire book.

“Fear” here is not terror that drives us away, but reverent awe that draws us near in humility.

It’s the realization that God is holy, sovereign, just, and all-wise, and that we are accountable to Him.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Fear God and keep His commandments…”

Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”

Without this reverence, all other learning becomes prideful and self-serving.

The fear of the Lord puts God at the center of our thoughts, decisions, and desires.

Isaiah 66:2 – God looks to the one who is humble and contrite and trembles at His Word.

Matthew 10:28 – Jesus reminds us to fear God, who has authority over both body and soul.

IV. The Other Side: Fools Reject Wisdom

Proverbs deals honestly with both paths—wisdom and folly.

“Fools despise wisdom and instruction…” (v. 7b)

A fool isn’t someone who lacks IQ; it’s someone who refuses correction, rejects God's authority, and insists on living by their own rules.

Romans 1:21–22 – “Claiming to be wise, they became fools…”

Psalm 14:1 – “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

Fools laugh at sin, ignore warning, and repeat their mistakes.

Proverbs 26:11 – “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”

This isn’t just about being uninformed; it’s about a heart that refuses to bend before God.

Conclusion:

The book of Proverbs doesn’t start with practical tips or catchy slogans. It starts with a call to fear the Lord.

Because until you have a heart that reveres God, you won’t have ears to receive His wisdom.

When we fear God:

We treat His Word with seriousness.

We listen to godly counsel.

We make decisions that honor Him rather than ourselves.

Let us begin this series by returning to the fear of the Lord—the awe-filled, reverent posture that makes us humble, obedient, and wise.

Challenge:

Are you open to the correction of God’s Word?

Are you daily seeking wisdom from God—or relying on your own understanding?

Will you ask the Lord to deepen your reverence for Him?

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, You are holy and wise beyond measure. We confess that too often, we’ve leaned on our own understanding. We’ve sought quick answers instead of deep truth. Forgive us for treating Your wisdom lightly and for resisting correction.

Help us, Lord, to fear You rightly—with reverence and awe. Shape our minds by Your Word. Make our hearts teachable. Give us discernment in our decisions, humility in our relationships, and boldness in our obedience.

We commit ourselves today to the pursuit of wisdom—not for our own glory, but so that we may reflect Your character and glorify Your name.

In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen.