Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 111:10, Romans 1:21-22, James 3:13
Summary: Biblical wisdom is not intelligence, education, or cleverness. It is the God-given ability to understand reality from His perspective and live faithfully within it. This is the first message on why Christians need to be the wisest people in society.
The Fear of the LORD is where wisdom begins (Proverbs 9:10). Every society has experts, institutions, data, and powerful technology. The trouble is that none of these things guarantee that someone has the wisdom to handle them. A culture might know how to do remarkable things yet still fail to ask whether those things are right. There may be a plethora of information within a society but be devoid of moral clarity. The Bible addresses these issues by teaching us that true wisdom begins with a reverential view of God.
The “fear of the LORD’ as described in the Bible does not mean servile terror, as a slave in ancient times would have towards a cruel master. It is a reverent recognition that God is God, and we are not. It means receiving His character as the standard of goodness, His Word as the measure of truth (John 17:17), and His authority as final.
Wisdom begins when human pride bows before Divine reality. The wise person does not place God at the edge of life as some kind of private preference. God becomes the center from whom every part of life is clearly understood. This explains why intelligence alone cannot save a society from folly. People can reason brilliantly but do so under false premises. If we deny the Creator, redefine good and evil, or treat personal desires as sovereign, our conclusions may appear sophisticated while leading away from life. Romans 1:21-22 describes people with this mindset:
“…Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (NKJV).
The Bible describes people who became futile in thought yet believed the idea that they were wise. They did not lack mental ability. They chose to deny God and refuse Him worship and recognition. Christians must therefore be the wisest people in society because they begin where reality begins – with God. This wisdom should shape our judgments about work, family, morality, money, justice, truth, power, suffering, and death. The Christian does not merely ask, “What is popular?” “What is profitable?” or “What is possible?” Instead, we ask, “What is faithful to the LORD?”
Proverbs 3:5-7 warns us to not lean on our own understanding or be wise in our own eyes. Trust in God delivers us from the tyranny of limited perception. The fear of the LORD also produces humility. Those who know God’s holiness cannot boast in their intelligence. Those who know His mercy cannot despise others.
Proverbs 11:2 joins humility to wisdom, and James 3: 13 says wisdom is demonstrated by good conduct in meekness. Biblical wisdom is never arrogant. It is teachable, sober, courageous, and obedient.
Society needs people who cannot be bribed by applause, frightened by pressure, or seduced by novelties. It needs people whose convictions arise from reverence for God. When Christians fear the LORD, they become steady in confusion, truthful amid manipulation, and hopeful amid despair.
The beginning of wisdom is not found in trusting ourselves more deeply, but in acknowledging God more fully. Where the fear of the LORD is restored, wisdom can flourish.
Our next venture into Biblical wisdom will focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, who personifies the wisdom of God.
https://drwhitchardteaches.org
The post The Fear of the Lord – Where Wisdom Begins :: By Dr. Donald Whitchard appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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