“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

The word “fear” can sound unsettling in modern ears. Today, fear often describes terror or dread, but in Scripture, particularly in Proverbs 1:7—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge”—fear takes on a far richer meaning. To fear God is not to cower in terror but to stand in reverent awe of His power, authority, and holiness. It is to see God for who He truly is—the Creator of the universe, the ultimate source of wisdom, and the one who holds all things together. When we “fear” the LORD, we recognize His sovereignty and trust Him completely. Like sailors in the midst of a storm, we anchor our lives in Him, secure against the chaos and destruction that surround us. This awe-inspired reverence becomes the foundation for true wisdom.

Picture a small sailboat caught in a violent storm, tossed mercilessly between two deadly perils. On one side lies the raging sea, a picture of human opinion, where truth shifts with every wave of culture and popular thought. On the other side looms the jagged, rocky shore of nihilism, a barren place where life is stripped of purpose, meaning, and hope. If the boat drifts too far in either direction, destruction is certain. It is only through wisdom—God’s wisdom—that the captain can anchor the vessel in the narrow safe zone, secure in the truth of God’s Word. This is what the fear of the LORD provides: a firm and unshakable foundation to navigate the storms of life.

In stark contrast, Proverbs 1:7 warns us, “Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The fool rejects God’s truth, either swept away by human reasoning or driven to despair by the emptiness of nihilism. It is foolishness to redefine God’s words or twist His truth to suit our desires, and yet, this happens every day. Deconstructing God’s Word—stripping it of its power or altering its meaning—may sound intellectual or progressive, but in reality, it is a rejection of wisdom itself. Likewise, nihilism, with its belief that life is meaningless, leaves us hopeless, like a ship smashed against the rocks. Fools reject the anchor God provides, trusting in their own understanding, only to find themselves lost and broken.

The consequences of rejecting God’s wisdom are real and devastating. Without a firm foundation, we drift through life untethered, carried along by every new idea or crushed by despair. But there is hope! God’s wisdom is not hidden or inaccessible; it is offered to all who seek it. James 1:5 declares, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” The wisdom of God—rooted in the fear of the LORD—grounds us in a true understanding of reality, giving purpose, direction, and meaning to life. It holds us steady amidst human opinion and shields us from the hopelessness of nihilism.

To embrace the fear of the LORD is to acknowledge God as the ultimate authority, to trust His Word, and to rely on Him fully. This is where true wisdom begins—not in the chaos of human thought, not in the despair of nihilism, but in humble reverence for the One who created us and holds all things together. Proverbs 1:7 sets before us a choice: Will we anchor ourselves in God’s wisdom, or will we drift toward destruction? The fear of the LORD is not only the beginning of knowledge but the key to living a life of meaning, hope, and truth. Let us reject foolishness, embrace God’s wisdom, and trust the One who alone can guide us safely through every storm.