When humanity abandon the fear of God, then sin finds a fertile ground to flourish. The increasing number of violence, injustice, deception, and every form of sinfulness in the society demonstrates as to what happens when people no longer recognize the authority of the Living God. Modern society promotes self-deception, excusing and justifying selfish actions, and refuses accountability instead of acknowledging the truth.

As a result, discipline is now often dismissed or regarded as tyrannical rather than be recognized as an important means of correction (Proverbs 3:11–12). When wickedness and moral boundaries are disregarded and toned-down, then sin will flourish in unrestrained manner. Resulting in a society that is gradually marked by abuse, hatred, anger, and broken relationships. Only when the fear of the Lord is re-established that true justice, wisdom, and genuine love be restored.

Devoid of the fear of God, the human heart will naturally begin turning inwards and boasting itself (v. 2). Rather than of honest recognition of its own sinfulness, the heart even boasted of its own goodness and excuse itself by justifying its actions. Such self-deception only leads to pride and self-indulgence. The more one indulges in worldliness, the further he strays from the truth. In the end, calamity and its own downfall will be the reward (Galatians 6:7).

Self-flattery soon leads to deceit and falsehood (v. 3). The heart that denies and rejects correction can no longer discern the truth clearly. Rather than exhibiting growth in wisdom and understanding, it turns out to be spiritually blind, by exchanging the wisdom of God for human reasoning. Instead of righteousness and maturity, deception becomes and increasing mark of its choice of words that should be spoken and the decisions that should be made.

This decline does not stop there. Sin will eventually take a foothold and consume both the thoughts and desires of the heart (v. 4). For even in the quietness of the night, where he should be sleeping and resting, the mind is occupied with plans that unknowingly dishonour God and hurt not only other people but also himself. But instead of repenting and pursuing what is good, the sinner becomes so settled in his evil thoughts. He refused to turn from the path of wickedness, for the heart is already seared with hot iron so that it is already numb in its conscience (1 Timothy 4:1-2). What started with the absence of the fear of the Lord resulted in the life that is now fully devoted to sin.

How about you? Have you truly considered these thoughts and chose to fear the Lord? This is not just a fear of coming judgment but a reverential awe that recognizes the holiness of God, His authority, and His rightful place as the Sovereign Lord who is reigning now and should also be crowned over every area of our lives. For the fear of the Lord will lead us to humility, repentance, wisdom, and joyful obedience.

It is our prayer and desire that God will plant this reverent fear within your heart so that you may walk in His truth and experience the fullness of the grace of the Almighty. As the Scriptures declare:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." — Proverbs 1:7

May we never be counted among those who decisively reject the wisdom of God, but among those who humbly receive the biblical instruction and faithfully follow His ways.