Fear Foundations

(Proverbs 1:7 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Christians are always talking about love but we don’t want to hear about “fear” (3374).   In the KJV we see fear 23 times in Proverbs; love, 15. In the NASB it is 18 and 16.  When we are talking about wisdom it seems that fear gets more press than love.

I have heard it said you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  I accept that but God is not trying to catch flies.  He is trying to catch sinful human beings who are determined to be their own gods.  He is dealing with creatures that don’t pay attention well and are easily sidetracked.  He wants to redeem you and me.  Sometimes love will do the trick.  Sometimes fear is necessary. 

Two times Proverbs uses the phrase “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of....”  Here it starts us down the path of knowledge.  In 9:10 it directs us to wisdom.

So?  Don’t be afraid of fear.  Yes, God loves us but it is a scary thing to be loved by a holy God.  Let your fear be healthy because it is tempered by grace and obedience.