the fear of the Lord. By Charles Spurgeon. Proverbs 9, verse 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Here God opens to us the true gateway of wisdom. All the philosophies and teachings of men may parade themselves as insight. But apart from the fear of the Lord, They are blind guides leading the blind. Wisdom does not originate in intellect, nor is it attained by experience alone. It begins with the fear of God, a holy reverence and awe of His majesty, His power, His justice, and His grace. True fear of God does not lead to bondage, but to holiness. To fear the Lord is not a cringing dread, but a deep-hearted recognition of who He is, and a consequent submission to His will. It is to stand in awe of His holiness and to tremble at His Word. It is to love what He loves, to hate what He hates, and to live in conscious dependence upon Him. Until this fear governs the heart, one cannot be wise, For without it, one walks in the vanity of his own mind and the darkness of his own understanding. From this holy fear springs the pursuit of the knowledge of the Holy One. Here we do not deal in mere information about God, but in the spiritual, experiential knowledge of Him through His Word. To know the Holy One is to be brought into saving relationship with Him through Jesus and His sin-atoning sacrifice on the cross. This knowledge transforms. As we grow in reverence and deepen in our acquaintance with God's holy character, we are conformed into His likeness. Wisdom is not academic. It is spiritual insight into the ways and will of God. made possible only through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. True wisdom leads to holy living, for what a man truly knows of God will always show itself in how he lives before God. A holy fear of God is the root of all godliness. A tender conscience, a reverent heart, and a holy walk are the fruit of fearing the Lord. Let us therefore examine our hearts. Is the fear of the Lord the root of our choices, the anchor of our worldview, and the guide of our steps? Are we growing in the experiential knowledge of the Holy One? If we would be wise, we must begin here and never move beyond it. Lord, teach me to fear you above all things. May your greatness silence every anxious thought and drive away every earthly fear. May Your holiness humble me, Your grace embolden me, and Your presence comfort me. In Jesus' name, Amen. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. Psalm 128, verse 1.