“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 
Proverbs 1:7

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” 
Ecclesiastes 12:13

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What are you most known for? If your loved ones had to describe you in one word, what would it be? For King Solomon, who wrote this proverb, one word that undoubtedly comes to mind is “wisdom.” In 1 Kings 3:9, he asks God for a discerning heart to govern God’s people and distinguish between right and wrong. The next verse tells us that God was pleased Solomon asked for this, and He replied, “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (3:12).

But that wisdom went by the wayside when Solomon ignored God’s command not to marry foreign wives, who eventually led him into idolatry. What good is the “fear of the Lord” when we don’t actually implement it in our day-to-day lives and decision-making? There is so much that can interfere with our reverent respect for God and His commandments. As Solomon demonstrated, one of these is the desire to fit in by doing things according to societal “rules.” This is exactly why we need discerning hearts.

We were designed to need wisdom and instruction. Left to our own devices, we easily fall into sin, idolizing our own selfish desires. We become “fools” forever chasing an illusive, world-soaked happiness that always needs refilling. But acquiring wisdom is not sufficient; we must apply it to our walk with God. When Solomon earnestly exercised his wisdom in his role as king, the people of Israel were in awe of him for administering justice (3:28). We don’t fear God so we can win the approval of man; we fear Him so we can do what is right in His eyes.

It pleases God when we ask for what will benefit our spiritual growth rather than our societal status. May we begin by asking for a wise and discerning heart anchored in God’s love. When the “fear of the Lord” becomes the steadfast foundation from which we operate, we are equipped to make wise decisions that lead to a more fruitful life. This way, we hopefully arrive at a place where what we’re most known for is how we managed to be good and faithful servants.

Next Steps

• Reflect on what area of your life you need to seek God’s instruction and apply His wisdom.
• What does the “fear of the Lord” mean to you and what does it look like in your day-to-day life?