Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday, a moment to pause and reflect on the deeper things of life. Today, we begin at the beginning. Proverbs 1:7 says:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
At first glance, this verse might sound a bit harsh. “Fear of the Lord”? “Fools who despise wisdom”? But hidden in this verse is a profound truth that can shape how we live and how we grow in wisdom, character, and spiritual maturity.
To understand this verse, it is important to explore what the fear of the Lord” really means. This “fear” is not about being scared of God, as if waiting for His punishment. It is about reverence, a deep and holy respect for who God is. An acknowledgment of His power, holiness, justice, and love. It is recognizing God as not only our Creator but also the ultimate authority.
True wisdom begins when we acknowledge that the world does not center around us but that God is the center of it all. It is a humble posture of our hearts saying, “God, You know better than I do. Teach me Your ways.”
The second half of the verse says, “fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Why would someone reject wisdom? True wisdom often requires us to be corrected; to admit we don’t know everything, and to change our ways. Pride can often get in the way of that because at times we may resist that kind of humility.
In the book of Proverbs, “fools” aren’t necessarily unintelligent. They are those who are morally and spiritually resistant to truth. These “fools” despise instruction not because it isn’t helpful, but because it threatens their sense of independence or control.
Wisdom in Proverbs is not just about gaining facts or knowledge. It is deeply relational with God. Knowing and honoring Him, and living in awe of His presence. We can have multiple degrees, read all the right books, and still be unwise if your life isn’t rooted in God’s truth.
To grow in wisdom, we can start with the fear of the Lord. A few things we can do to cultivate that are to:
Spend time in God’s Word – Let scripture shape your thoughts and decisions.
Pray for – The Bible tells us that God gives wisdom generously to all who ask.
Humble yourself – Be willing to receive correction from God and wise people around you.
Live in awe of who God is – Reflect regularly on God’s greatness and faithfulness.
True wisdom begins with God. The more we revere Him, the more clearly we’ll see the path ahead. The more we walk in that wisdom, the more clarity we will experience.