Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Proverbs 23:17
Here’s a cool thing to do when you read the OT as a born again New Testament believer.
Replace “fear of the Lord” with “love of God”.
Here’s what this looks like:
- Proverbs 1:7: The beginning of knowledge is the love of God, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Psalm 86:11: Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to love your name.
- Proverbs 14:26: In the love of God one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
- Deuteronomy 10:12: And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
- Psalm 25:14: The friendship of the Lord is for those who love him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
- Proverbs 3:7: Be not wise in your own eyes; love the Lord, and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 9:10: The love of God is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
- Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- Proverbs 19:23: The love of God leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
- Psalm 111:10: The love of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Love God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Perfect love casts out all fear.
And since Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law, reconciling us back to God…love gets to trade places with fear.