Should we fear God? Often we think of Him as a benign being, incapable of doing anything at all. Most of the time we think of God as some kind of concept and not consequential. In Bible School we were taught that we weren’t to fear God in the sense of dread type fear, but more like a fatherly figure.

It is the thought that God will not harm us that I am convinced has caused the most damage to both the church, and as an extension society itself. We now believe that we can do what ever we like and God will not touch us. Is this true? Is that evidenced by what we see around us? War, Crime, Disease, Injustice, Hurricanes, Fire.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” What does it mean to fear the LORD? Why is fear of God the beginning of knowledge?

Jesus says in Matthew 10:28″And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” So Jesus is telling His disciples not to be afraid of men who are able to kill them, and want to kill them. Those men are only capable of killing the body, but can’t harm the soul. God on the other hand is able to destroy both the body and the soul in hell.

Jesus is instructing us to not fear even a murderous person seeking to take our lives. No instead God is much more to be feared, He, God, can destroy us for all eternity. God can and does take lives, He does destroy countries and cities. The bible is full of his deeds laid bare for us to understand and to learn from. There are six things that the Lord hates and seven that are an abomination Proverbs 6:16-19: 1. A proud look, 2. A lying tongue, 3. Hands that shed innocent blood, 4. a heart that devises evil plans, 5. Feet that are swift in running to evil, 6. A false witness who speaks lies, 7. And one who sows discord among brethren.

Hate is a strong word. Many times in the bible God is said to hate one thing or the other. This is where knowledge comes in. If we know what God hates, we don’t do those things. If we know what God likes us to do, we do those things.

We have allowed studious men and women to make serving God seem difficult to understand and do. To walk with God, to serve God is not difficult. He has given us a written record of what He expects of us.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. He will destroy those who do not fear him!

The book of Proverbs tells us that if we follow wisdom, God will protect us, proverbs tells us that if we follow knowledge we will have peace, proverbs tells us that if we follow knowledge God will provide for us.

All the opposite is true for those who do not follow knowledge. They are called simple ones, scoffers, foolish. These will be destroyed, both in this life and in eternity.

Proverbs tells us: Wisdom is the principal thing: Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her(wisdom), and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

So yes, to fear God means to have dread for Him. It is a dangerous thing to make light of Him or His commandments. He could destroy fools and scoffers in this life and he will destroy fools and scoffers in life after death.