The Fear of Men
1 Samuel 21:1-15
Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
NLT: Fearing people is a dangerous trap...
MSG: The fear of human opinion disables...
1st You know you have a fear of men when you have to have people’s approval.
2nd You know you have a fear of men when you are afraid of what people will do to you.
3rd You know you have a fear of men when you are more concerned about what people think than you are of what God thinks.
“The fear of men is the soul’s default setting.”
All experiences of the fear of man share at least one common feature: people are big. They have grown to idolatrous proportions in our lives. They control us. Since there is no room in our hearts to worship both God and people, whenever people are big, God is not. Therefore, the first task in escaping the snare of the fear of man is to know that God is awesome and glorious, not other people.
---Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small, p. 95
1. The problems that come with fearing men
1st Problem: Fear of men will cause you to sin
1 Samuel 21:1-2
David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?" David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.'"
2nd Problem: Fear of men will lead you to make terrible decisions
1 Samuel 21:10-15
That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?" David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. Achish said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?"
2. The principles to overcome the fear of men
A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
---Superscription on Psalm 34
1st Worshiping God will help you overcome the fear of men
Psalm 34:1-3
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD'S greatness; let us exalt his name together.
2nd Pray God will help you to overcome the fear of men
Psalm 34:4
I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
3rd Focus on what God is doing
Psalm 34:5-10
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.
4th Lead a righteous life
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Psalm 34:11-15
Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
5th Remember that God is with you and He will help you
Psalm 34:17-19
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
