The Bible says that “The FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” What does that mean?

Some people might think that when the Bible talks about fearing God, it means that we only feel afraid of Him. But the word means more than that. It means to honor and respect. It even means to love Him!

We respect God because of His power, because of what He is able to do and what He has done for us. We fear Him because He is in charge of everything, even the people who are in charge of us.

How do you act when you honor someone like your parents, your pastor or your teacher? What kind of things do you do to show your respect? Do you listen more carefully when they talk? Do you try to do what they say? How much more should we show respect for our Lord Jesus Christ who is the King of everything and everyone!

Another reason to fear God is that we are told to do so. In Deuteronomy 10:12-13 Moses says to the people of God, “What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…?”

So part of fearing God is obeying Him and loving Him. People who don’t follow Jesus are afraid of God because they will face His judgment and be separated from Him forever. People who follow Jesus, however, fear God in a different way, a way that is full of reverence and awe. (Do you know what those words mean? If not, look at the definitions below.) We are amazed at God’s glory and power. We are humbled by what He has done to save us. We see how much we need Him. We love Him.

What would the world be like if everyone feared God?

Fearing and loving God is the beginning of living a good life, a wise life.

Dictionary Definitions

reverence: great respect and esteem that goes with fear and affection, such as for a holy being or place.

awe: a feeling of reverence, respect, fear and wonder

Memory Verse

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27)