Job is one of the oldest characters in the Bible. He was a wealthy man who had it all taken away in a test by the Devil. Through all the challenges that resulted, Job never lost his faith in the Lord. His fear of the Lord and desire to do right prevented him from falling into sin. He gives a great example of how to follow the Lord through challenges.
Job 28:28
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’
Basic Principle
The phrase “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” repeats itself throughout the whole Bible. The book of Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible, making this one of the first times it is written. King Solomon repeats this phrase several times in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Several New Testament authors cite these verses. Since it is in the Bible from beginning to end, we need to obey. Fearing the Lord and avoiding evil is one of the crucial things a Christian can do.
Right Understanding
Fearing the Lord is often misunderstood. Most people’s misunderstandings are based on the fact that they see fear as being afraid. When it comes to Lord, fear in the Bible has more to do with awe and reverence. God is almighty and will judge the world, but because you are one of His children, you have no need to be afraid. You should tremble in His presence because of His holiness, not His judgment. Bowing down to Him comes from the sense that He is truly amazing.
Desire to Do Right
Departing from evil is self-explanatory. You should do everything in your power to resist temptation and avoid sin. When you understand that your heart is deceptively wicked and there is a battle going on between your flesh and the Spirit, you realize that you need help that is not found inside you. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He can put in you the power to resist evil. Seek Him out and ask for the ability to overcome the sin in your life.