— DAY 10 —

Wednesday 12 February, 2025



FEAR OF MAN

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Proverbs 14:27 (NLT)

Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

 

SCRIPTURE FOCUS

Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

 

COMMENT

It’s no surprise that when you first hear the term “fear of man” you may or may not see it in your own life. Because of its subtlety, it one of those things that can so easily go unnoticed. Despite it appearing as perhaps one of those harmless areas of our lives, it can be quite dangerous, cause more damage than we first think and negatively impact our relationship with God. The fear of man can manifest through people pleasing, which has it roots in a fear of rejection, insecurities and/or the need to be well-liked.

The Galatian church had begun to return to the Mosaic Law, in particular the requirement of circumcision (Ouch!). This was being spearheaded by some legalistic Jews who were badmouthing Paul and insisting on Christians being circumcised. In short, they were embracing a “different gospel,” one of works not grace. If left unaddressed, this would have caused all sorts of problems.

Paul addresses this straight up. He calls it out. Then he explains to the Galatians that his rebuke may not please everyone but that he’s not scared of being unpopular with man. He says, “If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” This is a very bold statement but is definitely an accurate depiction of how Paul lived his life. He feared no one, except God. He went as far as saying that if his goal was to please people he wouldn’t be Christ’s servant!

Most of us wouldn't have people pleasing as one of our life goals. However, its subtleties can easily cause it to fly under the radar. Do you find yourself making decisions just to keep others happy? Or maybe refraining from sharing your faith because you fear the repercussions? Or maybe you’re falling under the influence of someone who is trying to move you away from God and you’re going along with it? It can manifest in so many different ways. At it’s core though, the heart position is all the same….the fear of man.

People are awesome but we should find our refuge, identity, encouragement and strength primarily in God, not in one another. We should fear him more than we fear people.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”

Proverbs 14:27 says, “Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.”

Two great promises to hold on to as God works at this area of our lives!

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. How much does the fear of man impact your decision making?

  2. How much of a people pleaser are you?

  3. What do you feel is the antidote for the fear of man?

 

MAIN QUESTION (SELF REFLECTION)

What is God speaking to you about in respect to the fear of man and people pleasing?


Encourage others by sharing your revelation in the group chat on Planning Center!
This is a self-reflection about what God is speaking directly to you about in YOUR life.
Words like “I” and “Me” are encouraged, “we” and “us” less so.

 

PERSONAL PRAYER STARTER
Lord, reveal to be any areas of my life in which I may be fearing man above you. I ask that you forgive me for this. I thank you that when I trust in you it means safety. In Jesus name.

 

14 DAYS OF PRAYER (Corporate Prayer)
Today we are praying for HEALING.
Possible prayer areas: People that need physical healing. People that need emotional healing. Speak sound minds over people.