In
Proverbs 9:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
What does this verse mean? Fear can have multiple meanings according to Merriam-Webster online dictionary:
- an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
- anxious concern
- profound reverence and awe
- reason for alarm
In this case fear means that we should be fully aware that is God is watching and evaluating everything we do, say, and even think. We also have to understand that God is the creator, He is Lord over all. He is not our equal. Those who fear Him aware of His continual presence, will do their absolute best to obey Him/do His will, and have a deep reverence for Him.
People do not fear the Lord because they are ignorant of who He really is and/or they think He is their friend/bud, and/or they have remade Him into their own image which makes Him a non-threatening god who grants their every wish. They forget that He almost wiped out mankind with the flood and that He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Without fear of the Lord we make decisions based on our own understand which leads us to sin and ultimately to death
When we fear the Lord, we gain wisdom which we are told to seek above all else as demonstrated in Proverbs 3:13. With this, we start to see life from God’s perspective and we will start to make appropriate decisions.
Are you seeking wisdom or knowledge? Wisdom only comes from God, but knowledge you can gain although without wisdom the knowledge will only on earthly things. In the end, you will have to answer for your choices. So what choices are you making?