“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)

The primary focus of the book of Proverbs is to give the reader an introspective look into the ultimate importance of knowledge, understanding, discretion, and perhaps most essentially wisdom. Not only is wisdom a part of the primary focus, but it becomes the principal standard of how we should apply ourselves as believers with the regard to the many facets of life. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV) If we fail to apply wisdom and discretion to life and living we run the uncalculated risk of living a life of reckless abandon, repetitious destructive behavior, and reluctant choices. To put it plainly yet bluntly, we will commit ourselves to living a life of stupidity and ignorance, which is the opposite of living a life of wisdom. May it be known that this is not God’s best for us.

In order to acquire Godly wisdom we must start at point A. It is the beginning or prerequisite if you will to our wisdom walk. There it is required that we “fear” the Lord. This fear is a form of “reverence” for the Lord. It is produced by God’s Word and makes a person receptive to His wisdom and knowledge. “Establish your word to your servant who is devoted to fearing you.” Psalm 119:38 (NKJV) In our society today there is very little actual fear of the Lord. We have in many ways become apathetic and insensitive to the importance of reverence in our relationship with God. The fear of the Lord was one of the things that set the first century church apart from what we clearly see in the 21st century. “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31 (NKJV) It was this same “fear of the Lord” that led to many signs and wonders being done through the apostles. (See Acts 2:43)

A person who comes to fear the Lord must integrate that fear into the “knowledge of the Holy One.” This strongly suggests that fear alone will not sustain the wisdom that we need to navigate through life successfully. There are many who fear the Lord, but fewer that really know Him. Here there is a strong suggestion of relationship. The word knowledge in our text is used in the sense of “knowing by experience, relationship, or encounter.” To truly know the Holy One leads to a real and true understanding of Him and His word. Some knowledge is empty and useless; however, God’s people who are those that fear Him are marked by a true knowledge of life and the understanding that is obtained by having a true relationship with Him.

It is important to understand that there is a very unique yet subtle difference between human wisdom and Godly wisdom. The standards are quite different yet there is a way to know the difference. Human wisdom that is void of the relationship that leads to the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God is the standard of fools and foes. It is unsustainable and will ultimately lead to self-destruction. We have been warned of such. “Do not be wise in your own opinion.” Romans 12:16c (NKJV) Let there never be any doubt regarding the standard of Godly wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord. There are no exceptions. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 (NKJV) Case closed. Anything less than this standard is fallible, fraudulent, and foolishness. Rest assured you will know the difference.