Why does the bible say to fear God?

Answer 1

According to our Creator... fearing [revering] Him is the beginning of wisdom [good sense].

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Prov.9:10)

Yet, according to The Bible... there are two kinds of "wisdom." The wisdom of this world, as opposed to the wisdom of God.

"...Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel [good news]: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise... where is the wise... hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world..." (I Cor.1:17-20).

"...the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness... Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (I Cor.1:22-24).

Jesus Christ makes no sense to the carnal natural mind of man. It's foolishness and not wisdom!

Yet, God's wisdom begins for a man when his mind and spirit are opened by God... and he begins to acknowledge and fear Him. Then, "Godly wisdom" begins.

"...of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is MADE UNTO US WISDOM..." (I Cor.1:30).

"...your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God... we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom... which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Cor.2:5-8)

"...also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdomteacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishnessunto him..." (I Cor.2:13-14).

Without the healthy "fear of God" in a person's heart and mind... the wisdom of God will always seem like foolishness. But in those who possess the "good sense" to fear Him... the wisdom of God changes them into God's Child.

"...If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." (I Cor.3:18-20)

The Bible has been a source of confusion in the world... misunderstood... due to the lack of the fear of God [the Godly wisdom to understand it] in the minds and hearts of natural carnal minded men. God informed Daniel that in the last days, the Bible would be understood by the wise:

"...the Words [the prophecies of the Bible] are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND." (Dan.12:9-10)

Here in the end time... Jesus Christ, the "Wisdom of God," has stripped away the seals [Rev.6] that have kept God's Truth "closed up"... and has revealed the Truth of God's Word TO THE WISE - those who FEAR HIM.

And without that healthy spiritual fear of the Lord... the Bible cannot be understood.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccle.12:13)