During a 1933 speech, concerning the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. The former president’s point was we ought to be very concerned about being controlled by fear.
In his mind fear would stifle creativity and paralyze the country into inaction, when action was necessary to get the country out of economic disaster.
Whether or not we agree with Roosevelt’s actions to get the United States out of the Great Depression, matters little, his statement is a true statement; except when the fear we have is the fear of God.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Some, in discussing the fear of the LORD, desire to distill it down to being simple reverence for God. Although there is reverence in the fear of the LORD, the truth conveyed in the word “fear” is much greater than that, meaning “being in awe or terror concerning something, which produces reverence”. Reverence itself is “a deep feeling of respect and awe, which causes veneration or bowing adoration”. The fear of the Lord is the only fear we are to have in our Christian life.
Often Christians, at least in America, diminish the awesome, immeasurable, holy and terrifying nature of GOD, who is larger than the universe He created, yet so close to humanity, that when we sin, He is present to see it (Psalm 51:4) We forget that…
1 Timothy 6:14-16 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
We are to have no fear of death—no fear losing our jobs—not fear of not having the daily needs of our body—NO FEAR, NO ANXIETY (Matthew 6:24-33), only to FEAR GOD.
THE FEAR OF MAN IS A SNARE
Proverbs 29:25 25The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
Rising fear from what men can do to us, is a terrible catalyst for life choices. The passage above reveals this truth. The word for “fear” means quaking or trembling anxiety caused from what unpleasantness men can do to us, in the future (either immediate or in the distance). The idea is whatever the threat is, it is to cause us to change life course, from God’s will, to the desire of the person making the threat.
When we operate under the fear of man, it becomes a snare to us, which like a bird snare, with a noose, tightens with each movement made to avoid what we fear. The classic commentary “The Pulpit Commentary” gives us great insight.
“He who, through fear of what man may do to him, thinks or says of him, and does what he knows to be wrong, letting his moral cowardice lead him into sin, leaves his duty—such a man gets no real good from his weakness, outrages his conscience, and displeases God”
The fear of man presses us to avoid the terror of what men can do to us, which leads us away from God and His will. The decision to move at the fear of man, makes us more susceptible to the fear of man in the future. We are warned by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, to fear only God.
Matthew 10:27-31 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
FEAR ONLY GOD, FOR HE VALUES YOU!
Jesus acknowledges that people, wicked people, will often have power over the saints, in the way of hurting us physically, emotionally, financially; even to take our lives. The New Testament has many passages revealing this to us, the list below is a small sample size.
- John 15:18-6:4
- II Timothy 3:12
- Revelation 13:5-8, 7*
Despite this truth, we understand, we are not to seek to save our lives, but lose them for the sake of Christ (Luke 9:23-26), and lay hold of eternity with Him, by faith. Jesus tells us do not fear those who can kill the body but fear Him who after the body dies can place our souls in Hell.
Interestingly, that fear of the GOD is equated with trusting that He is with us, has His eye on us, and will bring us through this life, no matter what we face, until we are with Him forever.
This simply call to trust in the LORD, who is master of the soul and decider of where we spend eternity, is through out the entire written word of God.
Ecclesiastes 12:12-1412 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
The simple command to fear God, will become so very important in the very near future for Christians, in Western countries. Soon and very soon the governments of the world will seek to implement, “their” new economic system, of digital currency and identification, which is very close to the end times antichrist one world economic system.
In this system, if you do not participate, you’ll be nonexistent and shut out of all essential services. DO NOT FEAR THOSE WHO CAN ONLY KILL THE BODY.
We must remember that God is present with us, in the temptation to fear man, because He loves us and we are valuable to Him, even precious in His sight.
Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Acts 20:28 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
The fear of man, presses us to forget that we belong to GOD, through Christ’s shed blood—to forget that GOD is present with us—to forget that God is sovereign over us, and those who are exercising terror over us, and the situation we are in.
Remember that if God is our Father, and He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, He is not surprised by our situation, but has allowed it or ordained it, for our good and His glory.
Romans 8:28 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
LET US CHOOSE GOD NO MATTER WHAT
Early in the history of the church they were under persecution, where they were commanded two times, to stop preaching in Jesus’ name, or else. Their responses were awesome.
Acts 4:18-20 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:23-31 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:29-32 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
In the coming days, months and years, chose to obey God out of the fear of the LORD and love for GOD. He is always with us. This world is not our home but a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness .
2 Peter 3:11-13 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
