The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 15:33

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 16:5

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:6

Explanation:
All these verses speak to the kind of relationship that we have to our sovereign God. Our relationship with God is marked by accountability. From these verses we can learn some fundamental principles.

1. Fear of the Lord comes from an understanding that we answer to Him. (15:33)
   I am not afraid of the police when I am keeping the law. I fear the police when I am breaking the law. Why? I understand that they have authority and that I am accountable to them when I break the law. The same is true with God. The truth is that we have all broken the law. The God that is sovereign and created us has a law that we have broken. He has a will to which we must submit. We are accountable to him for what we have done and will do.
2. God will punish sin. (16:5)
   It has been stated in scripture time and time again that God hates pride. In verse 5 it says, “though hand join in hand”, a reference to the shaking of hands at the end of a negotiation. You can be assured that the prideful person will not go unpunished.
   Jesus Christ died for the sin of the whole world. He punished Christ on our behalf. If a person does not accept Him as Savior, then they will be punished for their sin for all eternity.
3. An understanding of who God is and our accountability to Him will help us avoid wrongdoing. (16:6)
   When we understand this accountability, we fear God. When we properly fear God, we will depart from evil.

Application:
A right perspective on God’s sovereignty helps us to recognize our accountability. You and I answer ultimately to the God of the universe.
The good news is that He knew we could not perfectly keep His law, so He sent His Son to become one of us. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a sinless life, and then died on the cross so that we can have our sins forgiven. God punished Christ for us.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Repent of your sin and trust in Christ as your only shot for salvation. You and I are accountable to God. He wants to forgive us.

Response:
If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, do that today and then tell me.
If you have, is there anything you need to confess to God to stay in right fellowship with him today?