How to Avoid a Deadly Snare.

"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death" (Prov. 14:27, ESV).

My mind continues to return to the the fear of the Lord.  Maybe I should say the Spirit continues to stir my heart toward fear of the Lord.  The work of the Spirit in convicting of sin, judgment, and righteousness generates within the heart the fear of the Lord.  Although, we shouldn't understand it in terms of being afraid of the Lord.  The fear of the Lord is a response to the holiness of God that generates a hatred of evil, and a strong desire to obey the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is a source of life, because it keeps us from sinning against the Lord.  The wages of sin is death. Thus, pursuing sin is pursuing death.  Rebellion against God is characterized by its lack of fear.  The rebellious spirit cries with Pharaoh, "Who is the Lord that I should obey him?"  The danger that accompanies a rebellious heart is that God may just let our heart stay in its rebellion.  It is dangerous to walk in rebellion of heart, because we might lose the possibility of repentance.  When we fear the Lord repentance becomes the natural course of action.  We are aware that we have sinned against his holy nature, and know that it is by grace that we are saved.  Fear of the Lord encourages us to walk in obedience.