The proverbs of Solomon have much to say about fearing the Lord. He tells us right off that this fear is the only foundation through which we can even begin to learn true knowledge and wisdom.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 2:2-5 “…incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD….”
So just where should we search for knowledge and wisdom? In the word of God.
Psalms 119:103–104 “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”
Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom….”
Our actions toward others provide another indication as to whether or not we have a healthy fear of the LORD. Paul tells us that we are to submit to one another in accordance with the authority established by God. This includes the authorities established by men, since they are ordained of God.
Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
It is also important for those in the body of Christ to submit to one another in love and the fear of God. It is our treatment of one another that provides the most powerful testimony to the world of unbelievers.
Ephesians 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
I believe one of Satan’s greatest successes has been the creation of division and discord in the professing church. When the unbelieving world looks on and sees that those who claim Jesus Christ as Savior can’t live with love for one another and are so divided regarding the authority of the truth of scripture, why should they want what we have?
One other sign of a healthy fear of the LORD is contentment with what we have. We are not to envy those who are living according to this world.
Proverbs 23:17 “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.”
1 Timothy 6:6–10 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
God has promised to be sufficient for our every need, to sustain us and never to forsake us.
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalms 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Considering the culture in America and much of the world today that promotes possessing more and more, God’s children stand out as distinct when they live with contentment. It testifies to the truth that things can’t make one happy—only living in submission to the LORD with a focus on spiritual treasure rather than earthly treasure can do that.
Matthew 6:19–21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
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