Proverbs 15:33, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Solomon gives two important principles in the above proverb with their positive outcomes.  First, he mentions that the “fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom.”  The fear of the Lord is an honor and respect for God and His Word.  Plus, it is a sense of terror to what will happen on judgment day to those who live in disobedience to Him.  Therefore, when a person truly honors and obeys God they will have “wisdom.”  Wisdom is the “proper application of knowledge.”  As a result the wise person in life knows what to do and how to do it.

Second, Solomon notes “humility comes before honor.”  Humility means to, “to be modest, respectful, and aware of one’s position in life.”  In other words, when a person understands their place with God is as a child with a Father and respectfully follows God’s ways, he or she will be honored in life.  Honor is what other people give you when they see something in your life worthy of respect and adoration.  Thus, God desires you to be respected and looked up to by people in your life not because you are a “rock star,” but because you are “humble” before God and man.

I believe that without humility one truly cannot fear the Lord because pride will not let him.  Humility in my opinion is the most important characteristic a believer should have after love.  For if a disciple doesn’t have humility their pride can cause them to fall from the grace of God just like Satan and Adam did.  Therefore, ask God to remove any and all pride from your life and to led you by His Spirit in the way of humility.

Lastly, Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-4, “3 And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Live as a humble child of God and you will be honored in life!

Reflection

Do you fear the Lord and walk in humility?

Action

  1. Ask God to reveal any pride that may be in your life.
  2. Walk humbly before the Lord as a child with his or her father.
  3. When God honors you before men, never forget how you got there, always give the honor back to God.