A WORD TO THE WISE: Proverbs 28: 14. "Good Fear"

Proverbs 28: 14     Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (NKJV)

Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. (NIV)

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. (NLV)

Proverbs 28:14.  One of the first phrases that boys learn to utter is, “I ain’t scared,”  soon followed by “I ain’t scared of nothing.”  Men and boys value courage, and rightly so.  But, there is a crucial difference between being brave and being genuinely, absolutely FEARLESS. 

I return to my father’s principle, “Boy, don’t you be afraid of nothing except God--- and me.”

Children and adults need to be afraid---- of the right things. 

Parents, love your kids.  Teach them to think, to love, and to rationally choose to good. But, it’s not a bad thing to also instill in your children health FEAR of your wrath as they begin to grow in wisdom. 

As a former little boy, let me tell you that there are times when “You don’t want to make mommy sad, do you?” won’t work; but “Do you want to get a whoopin’?” will.

Yes.  I’m saying that your kids need to be (at least a little bit) scared of you.

That way, they’ll grow up to be adults who are afraid---- of God.

A good man is courageous.  He is brave enough to take a hit to advance toward his goal.  He has the courage to face attacks against himself if it’s necessary to protect his family or others who can’t protect themselves.   He isn’t scared of difficulty or the risk that he’ll be wrong.   A good man isn’t afraid of being wrong but  he is scared of doing wrong.  

In other words, a good man is afraid---- of God.

Yes, God loves us.   Yes, God blesses, protects, forgives, and (if we’ll receive it) redeems us from condemnation.

But, God also judges us.  He sets standards and limits, and if we stray too often or too far beyond the boundaries God has set for our good, then God allows and/or does painful things in our lives.

I’m a big dude, and I have a black belt in Shotokan karate, but my “arms are too short to box with God.” 

It’s not a bad thing for us Christians to remember that the FEAR of the Lord is where wisdom begins.  And, it’s not a bad thing for your children to be given a health FEAR of your wrath as they begin to grow in wisdom. 

On the other hand, don’t.  Go with the “Fear’s bad.  That’s mean.  Only use positive reinforcement” approach.  What harm could there be in creating adults who have no fear of the consequences of their actions?  How could it possible go badly to produce young people who are indoctrinated with the idea that nothing bad will or should ever happen to them not matter what personal choices they make?  Oh, wait.  We’re already trying that.

Maybe God actually knows what He’s talking about.

Jude ^22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; ^23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire...

----- Anderson T. Graves II

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church

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