What does Proverbs 8:13 mean?

Scripture notes that "fear" of God is a crucial aspect of wisdom and learning (Proverbs 1:7). The term "fear," as used in this expression, is not about abject terror or panic. Rather, fear of God involves a submissive, respectful honor. There can be a sense of apprehension—much as one can have a healthy "fear" of things like fire or machinery—but not a cowering fright. This verse supplies another piece of context for understanding what "the fear of the LORD" really means. At its core, this perspective means recognizing God's holiness and goodness, and pursuing it. It means hating and rejecting whatever is opposed to Him.

Fear of the Lord causes His people to hate evil. This includes a rejection of pride, arrogance, and corrupt speech. Sin is not simply a mistake. It is a horrendous offense against God. We should not tolerate sin in our lives; we should hate it as God does. The apostle John encourages us in 1 John 1:9 to confess our sins. "Confess" means to say the same thing about sin that God says about it: to have same attitude toward sin that He has. Our hatred of sin intensifies if we reflect on the fact that Christ suffered misery and death because of our sin (1 Corinthians 15:3).

If we fear the Lord, we will also hate pride and arrogance. These immoral attitudes marked Lucifer's rebellion against God. Isaiah 14:12–14 records his arrogant scheme to push God off His throne and take possession of it. Lucifer said, "I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14). His proud intention was marked by corrupt speech, and Jesus identified him as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).