Humans have a complicated relationship with fear.

Proverbs 1:7

"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,

    but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

1 John 4:18

"18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."

Do we love God or fear God?

Is it better to be loved or feared?

“The answer is that one would like to be both the one and the other; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both.”  - Machiavelli (The Prince)

“Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” - Michael Scott (The Office)

So, do we love God or fear God?

Proverbs 9:10

"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.

    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment."

Truly knowing someone will change your perspective of them.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

"This is what the Lord says:

“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,

    or the powerful boast in their power,

    or the rich boast in their riches.

24 But those who wish to boast

    should boast in this alone:

that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord

    who demonstrates unfailing love

    and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,

and that I delight in these things.

    I, the Lord, have spoken!"

If you are afraid of God, you do not have the fear of the LORD.

The fear of the LORD in Proverbs is not a scare tactic.

The fear of the LORD is a reverent awe.

If we are not drawn to God we also do not have the fear of the LORD.

Hebrews 10:19-22

"19 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death,[b] Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."

If you truly fear the LORD, you run to him, not away from him.

Proverbs 15:33

"Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;

    humility precedes honor."

Awe and arrogance are opposites.

1 John 4:16-18

"16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."

Do I respond to God out of awe or out of obligation?

Proverbs 1:8-9

"My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.

    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace

    and be a chain of honor around your neck."

In a right relationship with a parent a child responds out of love, not out of fear.

Proverbs 8:4-7

“I call to you, to all of you!

  I raise my voice to all people.

5 You simple people, use good judgment.

  You foolish people, show some understanding.

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.

  Everything I say is right,

7 for I speak the truth

  and detest every kind of deception.

Do we love what God loves?

Proverbs 8:12-16

"“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.

    I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.

    Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,

    corruption and perverse speech.

14 Common sense and success belong to me.

    Insight and strength are mine.

15 Because of me, kings reign,

    and rulers make just decrees.

16 Rulers lead with my help,

    and nobles make righteous judgments.[a]"

Do we hate what God hates?

Proverbs 8:17-21,32-36

"“I love all who love me.

    Those who search will surely find me.

18 I have riches and honor,

    as well as enduring wealth and justice.

19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,

    my wages better than sterling silver!

20 I walk in righteousness,

    in paths of justice.

21 Those who love me inherit wealth.

    I will fill their treasuries."

How do I view God?

What we love, what we hate, and what we fear will tell the story of our relationship with Wisdom.

Your relationship with wisdom will determine the destination of your life.