The Beginning Of Wisdom
Prov. 9:10

A. Wisdom involves practical understanding, an immensely valuable thing. Prov. 3:13-18; 4:7.
Philosophy has been described as, “The love of wisdom.” As such and when practiced rightly,
philosophy is a good thing.
Our world places great emphasis on philosophy and wisdom — but our age unfortunately ignores a crucial truth found in Prov. 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
a. What are we talking about when we talk about, “The fear of the Lord?” The fear of God is
not a craven, servile terror where we cower and tremble like frightened mice. That idea is
dispelled in Heb 4:16. This is a filial fear in which love is the primary ingredient. Perhaps
best defined as “awesome respect.”
(A) This fear of the Lord is the attitude which: Acknowledges Him as Creator, Honors
Him rightly, Loves Him devotedly, Shrinks, because of love, from giving any offense.
Gen. 39:9-10, When Potiphar’s wife tried to lure Joseph into her bed, he replied,
“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" The fear of the
Lord is genuine reverence and respect for Him. It is not merely an attitude, but an
active obedience to God. It is not merely a way of thinking, but a relationship with
God.
(1) The man who does not take God, and God’s will seriously, does not really
respect God. That’s what Jesus is talking about in Lk. 6:46, “Why do you call
Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” Question? “How is
the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom?”
The reality of God and our accountability to Him are the most basic, obvious facts in the universe. These facts are the ABC’s of true learning. It begins with Ps. 19:1, Rom. 1:20.
But more than that, godly fear is the “controlling principle” with which one is able to properly understand everything else. Nothing “adds up” nothing “makes sense,” without the knowledge of God and true reverence for Him. Wisdom is more than the mere gathering of data—-it includes the discernment that enables one: To judge the significance of what is learned, To use it to truly good ends. Godly fear is what enables one to pass from knowledge to wisdom and be taught how to Worship God in spirit and in truth.
Why is it foolish to leave out the beginning? It is always hazardous to build a life upon faulty principles. Matt. 7:24-27; Lk. 12:16-21; Eccl. 5:18-19; Eccl. 12:13-14. When God blesses you He expects you not to squander it foolishly or selfishly. Use it wisely and compassionately, generously.
Life is not about us only. That’s the way the selfish, Godless Heathen lives his life. Lives only for his own creature comforts because that’s all he can see and understand.
Without proper reverence for God, we are: Unable to see the “big picture.” unable to perceive the relation of one truth to another.
The essence of sin is the substitution of human wisdom and will for the divine. Without God at the center of his thought, the wise man makes a fool of himself and that’s Paul’s comment in ROM. 1:21-22.

(1) The acknowledgment of a personal Creator is not an impediment to good philosophy, but rather its prerequisite. Solomon said it best when he said in, Eccl. 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.”
(1) What about the “fear of the Lord” in our own lives? Is it there? Does it characterize our lives? And does it cause us to grow wise in the Scriptures?
(2) Does it characterize our efforts to become discerning in the decisions we make about conduct and the use of our God-given blessings?
(2) We need to read and heed the wise Spirit inspired counsel of the apostle Paul in Heb. 5:14.
(1) And I really appreciate Solomon’s words in Prov. 9:10. May that pure reverence for God and knowledge of His will bring you salvation to the full.
(2) Acts 20:32,

Spur - 06/23/2002 pm