Understanding The Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

Have you ever read the word of God and came across this verse in Proverbs 1:7, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge…. Have you thought about what the fear of the Lord is; it is not being afraid of God. The fear of the Lord is having (reverential awe of) God; it means to worship God as our awesome creator and to have high regard for His word. You do not have to be afraid of God because He would not have said in Isaiah 41:10 NKJV, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’" For those who except Jesus as their Lord and Savior, God is their Father and no good father would want his children to be afraid of him.

We need to have the fear of the Lord in our churches today just like the early church. In Acts 5:1 -11 NKJV; "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things." I know it seems like we should be afraid of God because of what happen to Ananias and Sapphira, but this scripture shows what happens when believers don't reverence Him. You see Ananias and Sapphira did not recognize the move of God they just saw Peter. At that time everyone was in one accord and they were giving freely all they had so no one had need for anything. By lying to the Peter they were actually lying to God, because it was the move of God on the hearts of the other people that caused them to give. Ananias and Sapphira were not in one accord with those were giving and they were not motivated by God to give, instead they only wanted to be seen as if they were. They were more concerned about what the people in the church would think about them, they did not give out of a desire to honor God.

Once the Body of Christ gets on one accord, we will see a great move of God, not just in some countries but in the entire world and in each family.