Set Free From The Fear of Man

Proverbs 29:25  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

When we reverence God in the way we’ve been created to do, we are set free from being overly concerned about what others may think when we are doing according to His will.

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Fearing rejection or punishment from people can enslave you to their opinions over what God desires. It keeps you from being able to be who you truly are in Christ. But someone who truly knows they are righteous is bold. Those who have found total satisfaction in God’s opinion of them truly overcome the fear of man.  Fear of man fuels fear of failure, rejection, ridicule, or persecution.  Many types of fear are rooted in the fear of man.  Jesus sets us free from every type of fear!

As an Apostle of Jesus, Paul modeled this comprehensive freedom for us.  He modeled dying to selfish ambition.  Selfish ambition opens the door to the fear of man.  Paul longed for God’s approval above all else.

Philippians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Paul was able to stand firm even though others forsook him.  Paul gave no place to the fear of rejection.

2Timothy 4:16  At my first defense, no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

In Acts 16, even though he had been unjustly imprisoned along with Silas, they praised Jesus!  So God turned what the enemy hoped would discourage Paul and Silas into an evangelistic moment. Many were saved!  Paul gave no place to a fear of what man could do to him.

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper;  I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”

Jesus said it this way,

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Having awe and reverence for God will go a long way to helping us avoid the snare of the fear of man.  I encourage you today to submit to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to establish Christ’s kingdom first in your heart and mind to strengthen your faith in Jesus and shield you from the fear of man.