The Fear of Man

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.Proverbs 29:25-26

We live in a world consumed with self-image. We are consumed with our reputation, our brand.

Pride destroys everything it touches. (v.23)

Pride has the opposite effect of that which is desired.

Pride will be your downfall.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.Proverbs 16:18

Pride hardens the heart against Truth.

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.Psalm 10:4

The fear of man lays a trap that will eventually catch you. (v.23)

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:Isaiah 2:11-12

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Luke 14:11

The fear of man puts us in bondage to the master of others. (v.23)

The fear of man removes our desire to please God. (v.25)

“We fear man so much because we fear God so little.”

G.K. Chesterton

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.Matthew 10:28

The fear of man is based on a lack of value on the things of God.

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?Isaiah 51:12-13

You can please the world or you can please God, you cannot do both.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.James 4:4

An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.Proverbs 29:27

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.Psalm 118:8

Faith in God gives boldness and peace. (v.25)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.Daniel 3:16-18

Live for God’s approval, not the approval of this world.

The world’s approval is a moving target.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.Isaiah 40:7-8

God’s expectations are unchanging.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.Psalm 34:10

Safety and peace is found in the favor of God.

God gives His favor to the humble.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.James 4:6

Be less concerned with what others think and greatly concerned with what God thinks.