Sierra Vista Community Church
Freedom From Fear
Part 7
Psalm 34:4 ESV
How does the fear of rejection become a trap?
“The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.” (Proverbs 29:25)
• It causes us to compromise our lifestyle and our values.
• It keeps us from speaking the truth.
• It prevents giving and receiving love.
• It leads to isolation and loneliness.
• It moves us towards unhappiness.
• It silences our sharing about Christ.
• It keeps us spiritually immature.
How can I overcome the fear of others rejecting me?
• Accept the fact that people will let you down!
“I am the one who strengthens you. Why should you fear mortals who are no more enduring than grass?” (Isaiah 51:12)[GNT]
“For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
Truth: People will not love you as much as you need to be loved.
Truth: We focus on the wrong fear.
“Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10: 28)
• Focus on how God sees you.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”” (1 Samuel 16:7)
• Fall back on God’s unconditional love for you.
“Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.” (1 John 4:18)
Thought for the week: “When we live to please an audience of One, God’s love crowds everyone else out and we are totally accepted by Him.”