Fear God, Not Man

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” -Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” -Proverbs 29:25

Throughout my life, the fear of man has proved a constant temptation. I naturally desire the approval and respect of others, which, when tempered, is not altogether unhealthy. But like a cancer that wants to grow until it kills, the fear of man can consume a person such that it becomes the primary motivator and source of their thoughts and actions. But what exactly is the fear of man, and what sort of negative effects can it have on your life?

This fear could be that another man might harm you, but that is only a partial definition. John Bunyan states that the fear of man is “the fear of losing man’s favor, love, goodwill, help, and friendship.” In short, we long for the approval of men, and we fear not having that approval. Proverbs says this fear is a snare, a sneaky trap we often don’t see until it’s too late. These fears reside deep in our hearts, and we are often unaware of their effect.

You will notice in Proverbs 29:25 that the author contrasts the fear of man with trusting in the Lord. To fear man or long for his approval is at odds with fearing God and seeking his approval. To the degree that you chase the approval of man, your desire for the approval of God will diminish. If you want to fit in more than please God, you will likely say and do things you know are wrong. As I reflect on my younger years, I realize that many of my sins were driven by fear of man and longing for the approval and affirmation of others. As my desire for approval increased, my fear of God necessarily decreased. You cannot serve two masters.

While the fear of man is a sin and will cause you to disobey the Lord, there is a practical reason why you should avoid it. The fear of man is an all-consuming, never-satisfied disease. The more it gets, the more it wants. Acting in accordance to your fears will only reinforce the importance of those fears. Fears will breed fears. In addition to the constant fear or craving for approval, your conscience will be violated again and again. The sad irony is that trying to appease the fear of man causes more fear and discomfort than before. The result is no peace or rest in your life.

How do you get rid of the fear of man? The only antidote for the fear of man is another kind of fear, a greater yet safer fear. The fear of God, the desire for his approval above all else, will starve the fears of man. The fear of God leads to wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7) and offers safety and peace for the soul (Prov. 29:25). Because God desires your holiness, you know fearing him will result in holiness. Because God loves you and desires your good, you know fearing him will result in your ultimate good. Because God can save the body and soul for all eternity, fearing him will result in eternal life. The rightly ordered man will fear the good, loving, and just sovereign Lord of the universe. Find peace by trusting in him.