Connect Proverbs 16:6 with another verse about fearing the LORD. Setting the Scene • Proverbs gathers timeless wisdom God intends to shape daily choices • Proverbs 16:6 sits within a section focused on motives and outcomes of the heart • Another verse that echoes its theme is Proverbs 8:13 Reading the Passages • Proverbs 16:6: “By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man turns aside from evil.” • Proverbs 8:13: “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.” Tracing the Shared Thread • Both verses link fearing the LORD with active rejection of evil • Proverbs 16:6 highlights turning aside from evil; Proverbs 8:13 defines that fear as hatred of evil • Together they reveal that genuine reverence for God produces visible moral distance from sin Zooming In on “Fear of the LORD” • Awe-filled reverence: a heart that recognizes God’s unmatched holiness (Isaiah 6:1-5) • Loving submission: willingly aligning life with His commands (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) • Moral clarity: seeing sin as God sees it—something to forsake, not merely manage (Psalm 97:10) Practical Outflow Today • Hidden sins lose attraction when the soul is captivated by His majesty • Daily habits become an arena for loving devotion and faithfulness—grace that covers past wrongs while fueling new obedience • Speech, attitudes, and relationships conform to God’s character because hatred of evil keeps compromise at bay Supporting Snapshots • Job 28:28 — wisdom equals fearing the LORD and shunning evil • Psalm 112:1 — blessings flow to those who fear Him and delight in His commands • Proverbs 14:27 — that fear is a “fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death” Key Takeaways • Fear of the LORD is not terror but purified affection that magnetically repels evil • Mercy and faithfulness (16:6) do not excuse sin; they empower rupture with it • God’s design is consistent: right worship fuels right living, and right living confirms genuine worship |
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