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A Dangerous Snare
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"The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted."
(Prov. 29:25) |
Believers all over the world have become trapped in the snare of the fear on man. They are afraid to publicly show their faith; they are afraid to share the gospel with unsaved friends and coworkers; they are afraid to obey Christ when it may bring ridicule.
"Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;
for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God." (John 12:42-43)
In these verses, we see some men who were ensnared by the fear of man. They would not openly express their belief in Jesus for fear of losing the privileges of their religious positions. But ultimately, this showed that they sought man's approval above that of God, and they feared man more than God.
Let's see what God has to say of the fear of man in Luke 12:4-9.
4 "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.
5 "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
6 "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
8 "And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God;
9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God."
Man only has power to harm in this life on earth. God controls eternity and has power to punish in hell and to reward in heaven.
"I, even I, am He who comforts you.
Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies
And of the son of man who is made like grass,
That you have forgotten the LORD your Maker,
Who stretched out the heavens
And laid the foundations of the earth,
That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor,
As he makes ready to destroy?
But where is the fury of the oppressor?"
(Is 51:12-13)
Man is powerless beside almighty God. We should live our lives with the ultimate goal of pleasing God in everything. Don't be afraid of what other people say and do--fear the Lord, who controls eternity.
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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB ®
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