Bold and Honest?

Hello, my friend.

Yesterday I asked you to be bold and honest and declare your greatest fear out loud. I would never ask you to do something I am not willing to do myself so here goes: I am afraid of people’s opinions about me and of being alone.

The fear of man is a troubling part of life. Some people don’t struggle with this particular kind of fear, but many people do. How do you know if this fear is lurking in the recesses of your heart? I would put it this way, You know that you have experienced the “Fear of Man” if you have ever given in to public opinion.

When I first started preaching, I used to edit my message according to what I thought people would like to hear. I really wanted people to like me so I just took the edge off of what God’s Word would say. I caved to public opinion. I just wanted everyone to be happy with me. One day I noticed something—I kept hearing the same phrase about my messages—”...that was “nice,” pastor.” Nice? That’s it? It’s not supposed to be nice! It’s supposed to be inspiring, motivational, life-changing, transformational but not NICE! I still remember when God convicted me of this: Grant, what they think of you doesn’t matter—it’s what they believe about Me that matters. I caved to the fear of man. King Saul was a man appointed by God to be His king but Saul blew it because he caved to the fear of man:

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. (1 Samuel 15:24, NIV)

You may have also given in to the “fear of man” if you have ever made a decision based on what other people might think. It sounds like this, “Well, I can’t read my Bible at school because people might think I’m a fanatic…" OR, "I can’t ask that question because people might think I’m stupid…" OR, "I’d better say 'I’ll pray for you' because I want people to think I’m very spiritual…" OR, "Well, I guess I’ll just go along for the ride…" OR, "Well everyone else is doing it." If you have ever heard yourself say those words or something similar, you have given in to the fear of man. Here is one more, you have given in to the fear of man if you have ever changed the direction of your life because someone said, “You can’t...”

Maybe you have heard these words, “You can’t live for God. You can’t reach that dream. You can’t be serious!?” and maybe your response was, “Well, I guess I just won’t do that then.” When the ministry of Jesus was just getting started, many people were beginning to follow Jesus but many of those fell away because a group of religious people came around and asked some questions, “What will your family think? Why would you follow a man from Nazareth?” they caved.

“Yet, at the same time, many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:42-43, NIV)

I have struggled with the fear of man my entire life, but I am learning a new way of living and so can you! The writer of the Proverbs said in Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25, NIV)

My friend, if we want to stay out of the snare, we have to trust that God wants us to be more concerned about His opinion than their opinion! Stay strong and choose to honor and please God and God alone today.

I have this little saying written on a note that I keep on my desk as a reminder to please God, “I would rather be a fool in the eyes of a man, than a fool in the eyes of God!”

Never forget my friend...

You are a miracle!

Grant