So let's begin with the first Pillar of Wisdom and that is:
I. The Fear of the Lord - Proverbs 9:10 tells us: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The word "Fear" in this scripture means: A reverential or reverence for God and a positive feeling of awe.
Did you know that there are three different types of fears that we can have for God?
1. Superstitious: which is fear of the unknown or mysterious in connection with religion and ignorance.
This is the kind of fear I had for God as a child. I thought He was this big man with a white beard that just sat up in heaven pointing His finger at me in judgement and this caused me to fear Him, but in a negative way. I couldn't see that He was a loving, caring and giving God because of growing up with so much legalism in my home. My parents were Christians but our particular denomination taught that we couldn't go to the movies, wear make up, play cards or go to dances and as a teenager growing up I couldn't understand why? It was obeying and following the rules exactly or I would go to hell. It wasn't until years later would I realize just how legalistic I had grown up. But thank God, He set me free from all of that wrong thinking and the religious works that were unfruitful. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying I approve, but I was so bound with the fear of failing God, my parents and always strived to be religious and looking good in everyone's eyes that I became a slave to that fear. Thank you Jesus, that today I walk in freedom and not fear and my relationship with God is not just religious but realtionial because I understand who I am in Christ.
The second type of fear we can have for God is:
2. Servile: This fear is having the characteristics of a slave or servant and can have a negative aspect to it or a positive. I got to thinking about the difference between being a slave verses a servant and this is what I found out.
The word for slave in the Greek is "Doulos" and is one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will altogether consumed in the will of the other. The negative aspect would be someone who is unwillingly enslaved as a slave that is bound to not only someone but something. And the positive side would be someone who willingly is
submissive, yielding and obedient as a slave.
And the word servant in the Greek is "Diakonos" which means: A minister, servant, deacon, bishop or overseer and derives from "Dioko" to pursue, not servile, but voluntary serve.
I hear the voice of the Spirit and He is saying: Whom will you serve, your fears, your doubts, your unbelief? Why do you look to others for the answers while I am speak directly to you. I ask you, what have you enslaved yourself to and how far will you go? I am knocking at your hearts door and asking to come in, because there is a place in Me that is found in serving and a security in knowing that I am not a hard task master. For the call is at hand and who will answer it's call?
And the third type of fear we can have for God is:
3. Filial: It is relating or appropriate to a child's relationship with or feelings towards his or her patents. It is love and care not to offend God and to please Him in all things as his sons and daughters.
The second Pillar of Wisdom needed for a spiritual foundation is:
II. Understanding - Which is the ability to grasp a meaning, to perceive and explain the meaning or nature of somebody or something. It is being able to interpret a belief or opinion based on your understanding and have a sympathetic or tolerant recognition of someones situation.
In Proverbs 2:1-6, 9 & 11 instructs us:
Verse 1: My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you,
Verse 2: Making your ear attentive to skillful and Godly wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding (applying all your powers to the quest for it);
Verse 3: Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
Verse 4: If you seek (wisdom) as for sliver and search for skillful and Godly wisdom as for hidden treasures,
Verse 5: Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of (or omniscient) God.
Verse 6: For the Lord gives skillful and Godly wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Verse 9: Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing (in every area and relation); yes, you will understand every good path.
Verse 11: Discretion (discernment) shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you.
This word "Discretion" in verse 11 is closely related to the idea of "Understanding" and means: Being able to distinguish between good and evil. The kind of understanding we need is not just accumulating information, but a superior knowledge and knowing how to apply it and use it wisely.
In Proverbs 24:3 it tells us: By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.
So when understanding comes, it establishes us, instructs us and teaches us to: Stand firm in a fixed position, situation or condition permanently. We are prepared and set in order as first intended, we continue securely knowing that we can be all that God has called us to be because wisdom has built the house. Beloved, hear what the Spirit is saying. Study these scriptures, meditate on them and let the Lord reveal unto you more understanding of what the Lord wants to do in your life.
Blessings,
Elma Garlock
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