When people first hear the words “fear of the Lord” in Book of Proverbs, they often pause. I’ve heard many say, “Why would a loving God want us to fear Him?” It’s a very human question, and a very honest one. The Bible is not inviting us into terror or anxiety, but into a relationship shaped by reverence, humility, and trust. This phrase touches the heart of what it means to walk wisely with God.
In Proverbs, fear of the Lord means recognizing who God truly is—and who we are before Him. It is the awareness that God is holy, faithful, and infinitely greater than us, yet close and caring. This kind of fear is not about running away, but about standing in awe. It’s similar to the feeling we have when we look out over the ocean or up at the night sky: small, yes—but also deeply connected to something beautiful and meaningful.
The Scriptures tell us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This tells us that wisdom does not start with intelligence or experience alone, but with a right relationship with God. When we reverence Him, we learn to listen. When we honor His ways, we become teachable. The Church has always understood this fear as filial fear—the fear of a child who does not want to hurt the one who loves them, not because of punishment, but because of love.
For our daily lives, this changes everything. To fear the Lord means we make choices with God in mind: how we speak, how we treat others, how we act when no one is watching. It gently pulls our hearts away from pride and self-reliance and leads us toward humility and trust. In this fear, we do not lose freedom—we discover it. We learn to walk securely, knowing that God’s wisdom is guiding our steps.
Reflection – A Closing Thought
May we learn to fear the Lord not with trembling hearts, but with open ones—ready to listen, ready to love, ready to be shaped by His wisdom.
May reverence lead us not away from God, but ever closer to Him.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way.
