Revering God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

The beginning of a thing is crucial, as it lays the foundation upon which other necessary things are built. Without a good foundation, an edifice cannot stand for long before collapsing.

The first book of Proverbs shows us the primary requirement for acquiring knowledge which, when applied, will result in godly wisdom.

This requirement is the fear of God.

Unfortunately, this virtue has become scarce among believers today, because many have become too familiar with God and no longer revere Him. Instead, they treat God as their equal and often fear their bosses or those who provide for them more than the One who can take away their provisions.

This results in unbecoming behaviours. For instance, in an attempt to hold on to something they consider precious, some individuals are willing to compromise their values and do evil (cheat, lie, steal, etc), which is a sad state of circumstances.

The Bible refers to those who do not fear God and go against His will, instructions, and wisdom as fools, as stated in Proverbs 1:7. As a believer, it is better to join the category of the wise.

So, what is the fear of God? It is simply being conscious of God. It is deep respect and reverence for God that spurs us to live in a way that honours Him, at all times.

Joseph is a great example of someone who feared God, as illustrated in Genesis 39. When faced with the tempting offer of fornication with no seeming implications, he said, “How shall I do this great evil and sin against God?”

Joseph acknowledged God and avoided great evil, which ultimately led to greater blessings being allocated to him. If you were in Joseph’s shoes, wouldn’t you have preferred the cheaper, more exciting offer?

However, if Joseph had embraced that offer, he would have remained an acting husband and perhaps landed in prison sooner or later. Most importantly , he would have gone against the will of God and had to deal with the resultant consequences.

The fear of God helps us abide by His will on earth, and it is essential to cultivate this virtue in our lives as believers.