Start at the Beginning

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

    The fear of the Lord is where we are to begin in the learning process; it is foundational to our growth in knowledge. Knowledge is a good thing but, the same knowledge of the atom gives us nuclear energy and nuclear bombs, so our knowledge must be coupled with the fear of the Lord and used appropriately. The book of Hebrews tells us that our God is a consuming fire. Like the sun, which absorbs all that comes close, God consumes all. We should not be afraid of the sun but, be aware of its power and have a deep respect for it. We are not to live in cringing fear that causes us to draw back from God, but we are to live in godly carefulness and reverence. True knowledge begins where the fear of the Lord is known. We must acquaint ourselves first with reverence and deep respect. When we have respect for others it causes us to be cautious about how we speak and deal with people.

The fear of the Lord is where we are to begin in the learning process; it is foundational to our growth in knowledge.

    Fools are those who have a flippant attitude and constantly mock the cautious ones. To despise something is to treat it lightly and without appreciation for its sacredness and true value. A fool is one who is not sharp or aware, but just the opposite; one who is dull and unaware. The fool bumps into everything as he goes and does not make any proactive decisions but only reacts to the circumstances at hand; therefore, his life is in a continual state of chaos. The fool does not value wisdom or instruction, mostly because it would take humility to admit that he needs it. Wisdom is something that is given to us from another; we are not the source of wisdom. Fools are those who are too prideful to realize that they need another’s wisdom and perspective. And no matter how skillfully it is given, fools will always reject correction; they feel they are in no need of it. The fear of the Lord is the answer to all our foolish tendencies.

Wisdom is something that is given to us from another; we are not the source of wisdom.

    The basic condition of all humanity is one of foolishness, for the fool says that there is no need to listen to God. We are born into foolishness, it is bound in the heart of a child and must be removed by correction. Just like an athlete submits to rigorous training so that he can develop and become a champion; we too must submit to the corrective training of God and be schooled into wisdom. It will take time, discipline and consistency, but as we keep walking in the fear and wise reverence of the Lord, the tests of life will start to appear as just that, tests; and tests are made to prove that we have learned and to pass with flying colours.