Day 10 | 21-Day Growth Challenge | "Fear of the Lord is the Foundation of Wisdom"
SCRIPTURE:
Proverbs 9:7(NLT) Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
INSIGHT:
Wisdom and understanding are most appreciated by those who embrace it. People who mock the things of God will likely not accept correction. Such persons need prayer and the saving message of the Gospel of Christ. We would like to think that we can help or "cure" anyone. But the fact remains that the Holy Spirit must help a person become receptive—something the Lord is quite expert at doing!
Wisdom is a virtue best shared among believers in Christ, such as the 21 Day Growth Challenge along with your comments. The "righteous" are people who will honor God and rejoice in His ways. According to Ephesians 4:15-16, the body of Christ "edifies itself" in love. That is, we build each other up, not for selfish reasons, but to make us more effective, and his church, in reaching our generation for the Kingdom of God.
Verse nine says, "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom." Foundations are vitally important to buildings, especially tall ones. Laying a good foundation is the beginning to any successful building project. The "building project"of our lives requires understanding and living out the principle of the fear of the Lord. I define the fear of the Lord as "A deep desire to please and never displease the Lord."
Upon the firm foundation of godly fear comes "good judgment" (make wise decisions and choices), long life, and other benefits as God's purpose for our lives may determine.
PRAYER:
"Lord, keep me from trying to correct people who mock You. Instead, help me to pray for such persons and present the Gospel of Christ to them. I choose to fear you, not in being terrified, but in love and devotion to You.
ACTIVATION:
(Use comment section below to share your insights. Record sensitive items in your personal journal. You can login or simply use your first name.)
- How do you define wisdom? How do you separate godly wisdom from your own understanding?
- What does the term "fear of the Lord" mean to you?
- What actions will you take today related to this lesson?
COMMENT SECTION:
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