Scripture – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
Proverbs 9:10-12 NIV
Observation – If a person fears God and truly knows who God is that person will understand why they were created versus the person who has no idea of why they are exist. If you know that God is in charge of the universe and rewards, disciplines and punishes people based on how they live and treat HIM and other people you will live differently. You will be afraid to sin against God and take advantage of others because you know there is a holy perfect God in heaven watching over the evil and the good. Because of this healthy fear and understanding of God’s nature you will live a life that honors God and looks out for the interests of other people and not just your own. This type of decision making will add years to your life. If you don’t believe there is a God that is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent you will rely on your own wisdom for life and you will most likely pursue a life that puts your needs and desires above those around you. People that view the world this way will suffer because God doesn’t reward this type of life. They will lack peace in times of trial and will panic when the earth gives way. In normal everyday interactions they will tend to lean towards actions that benefit themselves and not others. Hundreds of decisions like this and years of putting yourself first results in person that is unpleasant to be around so they suffer from bad relationships.
Application – Try and help people understand that God is good and that fearing him is wise. People who don’t fear God have a fundamental misunderstanding of human nature. Non-believers view themselves, and people that think like they do, as enlightened kind people that want to help everyone and do what is best for others. When one of these people sin they blame it on circumstances, upbringing or a bad influence in their life. What they don’t understand is the human heart is deceitful and beyond cure and that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. If they understood this they would agree with Jesus that you must be born again. We are broken selfish creatures that need to come into the light so we can see ourselves as we truly are and see God for who he truly is. When a person can catch a glimpse of their true nature and that God really cares and loves them and desires the best life for them they will fear him and follow him and their days will be many and years will be added to their life.
Prayer – Jesus give me wisdom to ask people lots of questions so that they can begin to understand their fallen nature and see that you made them and love them and want a personal relationship with them. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 