STUDY V. THE FEAR OF GOD

 

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Prov 29:25

The alternative to fearing God is fearing men.

The fear of men is laying a dangerous trap on your path. To be concerned about the opinions of men will make you a slave. Trying to seek a good reputation amongst men is worshiping men. Thinking, what would so and so think about this, is equivalent to bowing your knee to that person and saying to them, I worship you, I value what you say about me. 

Paul says that if he sought the approval of men or sought to please, he cannot be a servant of God. Gal 1:10

There are things that you'd never do in the presence of people who you are seeking their approval.

For example, you can find two people arguing or fighting but if a person who goes to the church with them comes to the scene, or an elder or a pastor, immediately they start acting nice towards each other. They love each other, and if it was a home, they even give a warm welcome to the visitor whose opinion they value much. After the visitors leave, the quarrel continues. Why, because the person who they are seeking approval of has left the scene. Who has been left there, only God, and Jesus and the angels, but their opinion is not as important as that of the church person. These has become worshippers of men.

Rom 1:25 

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

 they worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!

Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed? Isaiah 2:22

The opinions of men are fit to be thrown in the dustbin. It is the fear of God that sets you free from every other fear. If you fear God, you need not fear anything else. Isaiah 8:13(TLB).

Assume you are told that you have only three days to live and you will face the judgement of God for the way you lived. What would you do?

Your priorities would change drastically. You'd repent and forsake the sins you been indulging in secretly for them they will all be brought to light. You'd go to apologise to those whom you hurt for your actions will all be brought to judgment. You'd fulfill the promises you made and when not possible, you'd ask to be pardoned for you'd have to give an account of the words you spoke. You'd fulfill your vows. 

You'd ask forgiveness from those you took advantage of and restore what doesn't belong to you and repay those whom you owe for youd want to face God with a clear conscience.

But why don't you do the above things mentioned above? Because you don't fear God. No matter how much you claim to fear God, if the fear of death will make you do something you were not doing before, you don't fear God.

The way to live a holy life is to fear God and not men. Seek God's approval not men approval. 

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2Cor 7:1

Jesus told His disciples not to fear men but fear God. Mat 10:28.

I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

Ps 5:7

You worship whom you fear, God or man.

Stop regarding men and their opinions or approval, but rather fear God and seek His approval