A good friend of mine often reminds me about the importance of fearing the Lord. I always tell him “I understand the importance of fearing the Lord but I have a bigger fear of what Jay is like without the Lord.” I remember the days of my own will “running riot” over my life, and others, and I never want to go back there.
As I was reading my Proverb for the day I was reminded of just how simple it is to gain wisdom and His will and in turn do the right thing more times than not. Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
Fearing the Lord and/or respecting the Lord means asking myself “What Would Jesus Do?” in all my affairs. This act takes me out of the equation which in turn creates humility (not about me) in my life and allows me to do the right/wise thing.
As Christians we’ve been given the free gift of the Holy Spirit in order to get our WWJD questions answered 24/7. Jesus tells us about this in John 14:15; “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”
I’ve heard some say “If the Holy Spirit lives in me, then why do I keep messing up?” God also gives us free will and the Holy Spirit does not get in the way of our free will. If we choose to mentally and/or physically go to “unholy places” the Holy Spirit will not intervene. If we choose to stay in “holy places” then the counselor is there to guide us.
For me, staying away from “unholy places” begins with a healthy fear and respect of the Lord and a memory of where my life without the Lord took me. Everything else seems to fall in line after that. I know what it is like to have my “free will run riot” and it ain’t good.
P.E.A.C.E.
