Proverbs 1:7 AMPC
[7] The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.
There are two definitions of fear that relate to the verse under review today. The first one is: "an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm". This one is the usual and the normal that the world is familiar with. There are a lot of situations and experiences that man will go through that will raise the emotion of fear, and these could range from sickness, job losses, economic situations, and even the reality of death could trigger fear in anyone. This is the natural reaction for all men born of women, and there is no medicine or process that will rid the natural man of this fear, unless he has the right kind of help. It is also a waste of time to encourage the natural man not to fear, because you have to replace the contents of a man's heart with another viable alternative. Nature abhors a vacuum; a man's heart cannot be free of influence and control at any time. I am either being guided by my human nature, or being led by the Spirit of God. It cannot be neither.
The story of the man Jesus spoke about in Matt. 12: 43-45 also applies here: [43] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. What these verses make clear is that one's house can never be empty. As I spend time taking care of the contents of my heart, I am building up the right defence for the day of attack. And the day that a demand will be placed on the contents of my heart will definitely come. When the squeeze comes, what else would my heart produce, except that which I have spent time storing up. I have to pay attention to anyting that seeks to leave an impression, because it will have earthly and eternal consequences.
This is where the second definition of fear is very relevant here, which is: "a mixed feeling of dread and reverence". This is the definition that we all need to pay attention to, because it is a good version of fear. It reminds me of the One to whom the feeling is directed, and only One person deserves it. You cannot fear God and man the same way. The fear of man will always lead to dread, but the fear of God will birth both dread and reverence. You get a good balance of the knowledge of God, the One called the Lion of Judah, but also the Lamb of God. He is called the Man of War, as well as the Good Shepherd. To fear this God is the right kind of fear, because it helps me to know the right way to relate with Him. He wants me make an approach, but in His terms and not mine. He also supplies all that i need for my walk with Him; He does not leave me to fend for myself. Anyone who will thrive in life must have the right kind of fear. To have any other kind is foolishness. Which one do you have? God's time of favour is here.
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