The Source of Knowledge
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. Proverbs 1:7 (Amplified Bible, AMP)
This verse explains a lot about our world right now. Those who do not fear the Lord are void of true knowledge, and as such, make foolish decisions. Their arrogance does not permit them to honor God and therefore, all that is left is man-made wisdom, which is a poor substitute for the wisdom and knowledge of God.
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Colossians 1:13 (New Living Translation, NLT)
Without God, man lives in darkness. Only the Lord and His Word can bring illumination and understanding. Unsaved man lives in darkness and is so deceived that he thinks he’s in the light! That’s the sad part. He is so foolish and steeped in arrogance, that he believes Christians are the losers. That’s backward thinking- and it’s a one-way ticket to hell.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 3:4-6 (KJV)
The devil promised man illumination and wisdom and all they got was darkness and fear. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, it’s like a light is turned on and the darkness flees. And, as we follow Christ, we see things differently and we begin to gain more and more of the wisdom of God. As we honor and reverence Him, we grow in knowledge. The old thinking is replaced by the enlightenment that comes from the Spirit of Truth.
No matter how much people try to appear wise and knowing without God, only the fear of the Lord will really make man wise.
