The Prerequisite for Wisdom: The Fear of the Lord

Counselees come to counseling for change. That is, they come to get something from the counselor that does not presently exist in their lives. But what they come for, often times, turns out to be a return to the “status quo.” And thus, effectively, there is "no change." Perhaps a wife has left her husband, the husband has come seeking the remedy to his situation: “a way to get my wife back.” Another has lost his job, he is destitute and his family is on the brink of leaving him (or they have left him). He wants to know the means by which to get them back, reacquire that “good job,” the one that gave them “everything they wanted.” A woman has been single all her life, is in desperate need (as she perceives) of a husband and wants the counselor to show her how to obtain a man; how to make herself worthy before God; worthy in such a way that God will grant her request for a husband. A counselee has a great fear, a constant anxiety; a lack of self-assuredness and wants the counselor to show him/her how to “get out from under this burden.” A husband and wife are struggling; they can’t seem to “get it together.” They, individually, ask God to “change their partner,” make him or her more like themselves, so that peace can be restored to the relationship. A saint is struggling with that sin that so easily besets and wants God to erase his/her “desire to sin.” These are but a few of the situations being discussed in counseling sessions in the Church today. But have these people come to Biblical counseling for the right reasons? Is God really interested in a “return to the status quo” for His saints? And if not, could this be the reason why counseling sessions end with no change? Where lies the problem? In order to answer this question we must first attempt to discover the proper “attitude” with which to approach God and the "motivation" that brings about that attitude. Doing so we will learn that the “Fear of the Lord” is that motivation which sets our attitude aright, and thus we may properly approach the Lord. Of this we must become convinced, because without it, that is, the "Fear of the Lord," "no significant sanctification takes place." But our ability to live in the “Fear of the Lord” is often short-lived because of pride, the principal culprit in short-circuiting our growth in the “Fear of the Lord.” Yet, to our relief, we come to understand that “pride” is checked by “humility,” which results in a “meek and lowly” heart. Thereafter, we begin to practice the "Fear of the Lord" as we persevere in love. Not the love that the world knows, but “agapeo,” a self-sacrificing, highly-purposed love. A love that helps us to increase in our “Fear of the Lord.” And thus, we begin to take “Godly” actions. We do works that belong to God, but are done in such a way that they become ours. They benefit us, but most importantly, they accrue to God’s glory. Without the "Fear of the Lord," "no significant sanctification takes place." This is a quote from John Murray. It represents the central thesis of this report. No counselee, without possessing the "Fear of the Lord," can ever reach beyond his/her current state of affairs, with or without biblical counseling (this counselor does not for even one moment suggest that secular counseling possesses any merit). The argument is as follows: A counselee, who is experiencing calamity, dread, distress and anguish (Prov. 1:26 - 27); the counselee who demonstrates waywardness and complacency (Prov. 1:32); acts in sudden fear (Prov. 3:25); leaves the paths of uprightness to walk in the way of fools (Prov. 2:13) and leaves the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God (Prov. 2:17) surely has not acquired wisdom or has rejected her (Women Wisdom) for his/her own way. But the "Fear of the Lord" gives wisdom (Prov. 2:5,6), instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity (Prov. 1:3), prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion (Prov. 1:4). The "Fear of the Lord" brings wisdom, knowledge and understanding, which brings with it security (Prov. 3:23), safety from evil (Prov. 19:23), long-life (Prov. 10:27), confident children (Prov. 14:26), and satisfaction in life (Prov. 15:16). Therefore, when a "believer" is experiencing any of the above "ills," he or she is not functioning in the "Fear of the Lord"; and thus, wisdom is not available to assist them with change (Prov. 1:24 - 31).