What is the beginning of wisdom? When we speak to those who are lost, or desire to speak to those who are lost - how do we guide them to the path that will lead them to salvation? How do we reach them, or convey to them there need for a savior, providing an avenue for the Holy Spirit to work?

Do we do this through entertaining plays and movies that are careful not to offend and offer only the positives of a Christian life?

Do we water down the truth of Christ for a Las Vegas style “if you need it, we have it, and if we dont’ have it, we’ll get it for you” evangelistic approach?

I can assume you’re expecting my answer to be a loud NO! - which it is, but sadly this is a commonplace, American style evangelical approach for MANY churches; a practice and style of evangelism that has seeped into many young Christians today. We are so careful not to offend, not to be awkward, or judgemental, that we are presenting a rose-colored Christ, when we should be presented a crimson-blood stained Cross, and what the Cross really is. Here’s the main point I am getting at:

What is the beginning of wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and they who live by it grow in understanding…” - Psalms 111:10

We see that the beginning of wisdom is a FEAR of the Lord.

“The first step to wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Prov 9:10

As Christians, it is ESSENTIAL that we do not turn away from teaching and evangelical efforts CENTERED upon the fear of the Lord. For additional verses speaking on the fear of the LORD,
see: Psalms 76:4,7 - Isaiah 8:12-13 - Matthew 10:28 - Luke 12:4-5 - Job 23:13-16

The reason for this is simple: the power of the fear of the Lord, in turn the non-believer realizing the NEED for a savior and the SIN in their life, as well as the CONSEQUENCE of that sin, is what can bring that person to the point in which their conscience and heart and mind are convicted and find the need to be real.

So often there are evangelical efforts centered around the “we’ll meet your needs” attitude, instead of the “you’re need is Christ!” attitude.

When we use the word of God to convict the heart of a non-believer, it is easy for them to see the need for repentance and a savior. Without showing them judgement, sin, and hell - they will not see the need for Christ. One can be happy enough in this world, that the “happiness” of Christ will bring no conviction. One can be “content” enough in this world that the “peace” of Christ will bring no conviction. But when one sees the sinfulness of their own lives, and the perfect standards of God - and the fact that they do not meet, and that one day they will have to face judgement, it provides them the reality of sin, the reality of Christ. The reality of repentance.

This is different than a “fire-and-brimstone” evangelical approach.

When you say “You need Christ, you’re going to Hell” - it makes no sense to that person. It’s illogical (and borrowing an example from “The Way of the Master” Television Program) - is like the police coming into your house and simply screaming “YOU ARE GOING TO PRISON FOR A VERY LONG TIME!!!!” - It makes no sense…and I would have a right to be offended.

BUT

If the police came in, and said “We have evidence you have stolen a car, murdered a man, committed adultry, broken the laws set forth, and YOU’RE GOING TO PRISON FOR A VERY LONG TIME!!!” then there is precident and understanding! I could clearly see the reason for the judgement, and in fact I would see the JUSTness of that judgement, for I would be guilty and a lawbreaker.

If we can use the scripture, the Ten Commandments, in our evangelical efforts to show people the Sin in their lives, then we will be spreading a true Christ, and the true reality of sin - and the need for repentance.

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For more information on evangelism, as well as tools for evangelism, please see www.thewayofthemaster.com -
“The Way of the Master” is a television program featuring evangelists Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, who have taken a biblical approach to spreading the Gospel in America today. It is Christ centered and Biblically centered, and I whole-heartedly endorse their program and message. Much of this post was inspired by some of their recent programs - followed by a driven look into scripture regarding fear and God.