FEAR OF THE LORD

When we read the scriptures there are verses that just don’t make much sense to us. Some of these are from the book of Proverbs. I will cover some of them in this article. To look up the word FEAR in a concordance can be very daunting to say the least. The same word for fear, as in frightening, and fear as in reverence are the same. It is up to the to reader to determine in what context the word is used. This word can be used in either situation. I don’t believe we has to explain what FEAR, as in terrified or frightened means. So we will continue to explain FEAR, as in reverence.

In Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:”

Wait a minute, I thought the Lord was good, kind, and loving. Why do we need to be afraid of Him? In this context, the word FEAR means; to reverence, make Holy, consecrate, to (venerate), hallow, sanctify. For a clearer understanding of this let’s replace the word FEAR in this verse to SANCTIFY.

Now the verse reads, The SANCTIFYING ( making Holy, consecrating) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Peter in 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify (make Holy) the Lord God in your hearts:..”

God has lost His rightful place on the throne of our hearts. We have allowed the world system to infiltrate our thoughts, emotions, and actions more than God. Think about this, in our hearts we must regard Christ the Lord as holy, to be honored with respect. Proverbs 1:7, says this is the beginning of KNOWLEDGE. Knowledge of what? Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ as emphasized in 2 Peter 1:2,3.

2 Peter 1:2-3, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

By allowing God to occupy the throne of our heats, we have grace and peace, along with His divine power. He has given us ALL THINGS that pertain to LIFE and GODLINESS. Wow! What a God we serve. He gives us all these benefits if we just set Him back in His rightful place in our hearts.

The following scriptures provide more benefits to FEARING the LORD;

Proverbs 1:7; 3:7; 8:13; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:33; 19:23; 22:4; 23:27.

I encourage all to read the above verses and recieve the promises God, through Christ Jesus, has blessed us with.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (ASV).

Al S.