Day 2: The Beginning of Knowledge

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

I've heard many preach about how fear is a sin. Yet, in this verse and in many others, fear is regarded as wise. So are we allowed to be afraid or are we not? I believe that fear is allowed, only if used responsibly. Misplaced fear is a sin, but fear itself is not. When we take our fears and use it to excuse ourselves for sin (for example, getting drunk, or leaning into pornography, or any other self-inducing temporal comfort.) that's when fear becomes a problem. James 1:15 says, "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Sin is a byproduct of misplaced fear. The Bible is clear about fear, and this devotional, prayerfully, will help you understand the correct placement. We can never go wrong when we place our fear into God. So what does that mean? Well wisdom comes from God, James 1:5 says if we ask God, He will give it to us, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him". But not only does He have all wisdom, this verse says that fearing Him, is the beginning of wisdom.

In other words, the smartest, wisest thing we can do in this life is to give such fear and reverence to God that we are not inclined to sin against Him. When we fear God, we know what is right and wrong, because God knows what is right and wrong. He has written plainly in His Word and in our hearts. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" Hebrews 10:16 God has given us wisdom by fear in Him, it allows us to see truth in the proper light. It allows our fears NOT to be wasted.