The Bible says, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

    Some would say, I’m not afraid of God.” But that’s easy to say until you see Him face to face. Three young men went to a zoo a few months back, and they weren’t afraid of the lion. So they proved it by yelling and taunting him. The lion got angry to the point where he jumped out of his enclosure, something nobody believed he could do. He chased, caught, and killed one of his agitators. The other two ran and got away with some deep cuts. When faced with that lion, I can say with certainty, that they were wishing they had just left him alone. That would have been a wise choice. In the same way, only much worse, it would be wise not to fall into the hands of an angry God.
    Notice that it says, the fear of God is the Beginning of wisdom. Beginning, as in starting off place. In other words we can’t get wisdom until we know where to start, and since most are oblivious to the commands of God and live without this healthy fear of God… well… what can we expect to come from such a position. It reminds me of a mouse I saw. He was standing on the back of a snake and trying to jump out of the cage. The snake struck at him but missed. The mouse ran to the corner and shook in terror for a moment… and then he went right back to standing and jumping on the back of his hungry (but forgotten) roommate. The snake didn’t miss the second time. My point (in case I’m being vague) is that people (like the mouse) are in real danger but they’re numb to it, when what they really need is some wisdom and discernment. Unfortunately, that only comes after we are willing to recognize God for who He is, truly. For some of us that will never come.
    My family and I go out to the streets to witness all the time, and my personal belief is that until someone recognizes the fact that they are naked, wretched sinners who are in danger of facing an angry God… then they are not yet ready to start the journey carrying the precious name of Christ. There must be a brokenness; and a repentance before anyone will go from being an enemy of God to being His adopted Son or Daughter.
    As a believer I am aware, at all times, that God is not someone to consider casually or lightly. But at the same time I don’t live in dread or terror of Him either. I have full confidence in His character and goodness. Also, He balances it out (at least for me) when He refers to Himself as my Father. So, we all need to understand that God is not tame… but He is good and He gives to us His Grace… Favor we do not deserve.