Title

Whom Do You Fear?

Scripture
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
(Proverbs 29:25)
Devotional
Intimidation, phobias and anxieties hinder growth and thwart the will of God in our lives. Fearing man reflects a lack of trust in God. Being intimidated stymies the mind. Phobias weaken the knees and anxieties break the heart.
These realms of fear can be overcome by growing in the fear of the Lord, instead of the fear of man. The fear of man is the result of a lack of faith in God. The psalmist boldly asks, “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”(1) Jesus said, “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”(2) There is only one who has that power, the Lord our God. We are not to fear man, and this we will do if we put our trust in God.

(1) Psalm 56:11, (2) Luke 12:4-5
Text For The Day
Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
 
Thought For The Day
“We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” William Gurnall, (1617-1679), Emmanuel College, Cambridge England, from his work, Christian in Complete Armour.
Questions To Ponder
Morning Study Guide
Defining:  “The fear of man” is a lack of trust in God. There is a difference between fear and caution. Fear is an emotion, caution is a cognitive wise awareness of pending harm. Be cautious of man, and fear God.
 
Referencing: “Many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God,” John 12:42-43.
 
Applying: Be cautious and leery of man, but trust and fear God.