Parenting by the Book
STUDY 16
Text: Proverbs 14:27
14 October 2001
THE CONCEPT OF “THE FEAR OF THE LORD”
Dear Parents,
“THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE…” PROVERBS 14:27
The fear of the Lord may well be compared to a fountain of life. We have discovered so many aspects of this concept of fearing the Lord (Review past articles).
A fountain is indeed a source of life. Without water, there would be no life. Imagine the fear of the Lord as a “fountain”. Those who come to this fountain and drink from it, will indeed find life!
HOW DOES THE FEAR OF THE LORD BECOME A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE?
The fear of the Lord can only be taught involving the following principles:-
1. There must be a certain amount of knowledge of God.
2. This knowledge of God leads a person to have faith in Him.
3. This faith in God results in the fear of the Lord.
4. This fear of the Lord is a healthy expression of a vibrant faith in Him.
5. This fear of the Lord becomes a guiding principle in his life.
6. If this fear of the Lord is consistently practised then God will bless the individual in special ways.
7. When the Lord blesses, then that life would be very rich and full indeed.
This is how the fear of the Lord can become a fountain of life. Wise is the person who diligently teaches his children how to fear the Lord.
“TO TURN AWAY FROM THE SNARES OF DEATH” PROVERBS 14:27
Once it becomes a very real part of our life, the fear of the Lord will guard us from things that can ensnare us. Snares can be very deadly. Snares can even lead to death.
The principle of the fear of the Lord will cause a person to avoid paths that could lead to total ruin! Here’s how it works:-
1. The fear of the Lord causes a person to be most aware of the Presence and Person of God in life.
2. When temptations come our way, we find that the fear of the Lord will heighten our awareness of the dangers that lurk within temptations.
3. The fear of the Lord when it is well taught, enables the person to find sufficient strength to resist sin and temptation and to turn away from that which is wrong.
4. The individual then escapes not only the temptation but the dangers that accompany the temptations!
LET US BE CHALLENGED TO DILIGENTLY TEACH OUR CHILDREN HOW TO FEAR THE LORD
Let us be reminded that the fear of the Lord is not easily taught. It must also be said that it is not easily learned! We tend to trust ourselves more than the Lord. Nevertheless, we must keep praying and teaching faithfully. May God give us wisdom.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie