Fear God Not Man
Fear: Trust, reverence, respect, also means to dread, afraid of
The Bible says fear not all through out, you have to wonder why fear was translated
through out the Bible both (reverence and afraid of). But this was done by man.
Remember fear and faith cannot work together because they are opposed to each
other. This is a trick of the devil, that’s why the Bible tells us to rightly divide the word, to
study to show ourselves approved (II Tim 2:15). Fear is actually doubt that God can
take care of you, and James 1:5-8 says it differently. Most religions teach to fear
(dread) God and do everything He says or He will get you! Remember religion is man
trying to get to God. However, God wants us to love Him with our whole heart, mind, and
soul. God wants a relationship with us (John 3:16-18). God wants us to do what we do
from our heart, and not a rule book. Our motives are a key issue (Col 3:16-17).
A lot of people fear (are afraid of) God and are having a hard time having a relationship
with Him because they see Him as someone who sits in heaven beating down His
people. Even insurance policies claim that storms, earth quakes are an act of God.
However, the Bible says that all good and perfect gifts come from the Father. (James 1:
17).
God gets angry when we don’t trust Him, when your words go against who He is and
what He wants to do. A good example for us is the 12 spies of Israel (Num 13:32-14:1,28-
35). Remember they died in the wilderness, because of their unbelief. They didn’t
believe God could keep them safe. They feared man and didn’t trust God. (Jude 5)
Remember when Peter and John was commanded by the council not to speak in the
name of Jesus anymore, they answered in Acts 4:19-20 then they prayed for boldness
Acts 4:29-31.
The Bible tells us in Eccl 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear
God (reverence God) and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man”.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
(Ps 111:10, Prov 9:10) Ps 33:8-10; 34:9,11-17; Prov 3:1-8, shows us why trusting God
is a good thing.
The belief system on earth: that God is in control of everything; many people believe
that everything that happens is planned by God. We know that is not true because in
Matt 23:37 Jesus said “I would have gathered you as a mother hen, but you would not”.
I would, but you would not. (Jer 13:11) says the same thing. Remember man has
dominion on earth.
God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but the Bible says that hell has enlarged itself.
God did not predestine everything that happens, He predestines the results of our
decisions (Duet 28; Job 36:11; Isa 1:19-20) that means our decisions have created our
circumstances, but when we turn and believe God a miracle happens. (I King 17:17-24).
Remember what Jesus said to Jairus in Luke 8:41-42, 49-50), “Fear not, believe only”.
Don’t allow fear to hinder you. It is the greatest deception the devil uses against the
Christian church. When the devil tries to hinder you with fear, be wise to it. Don’t
allow him to convince you of fear. Cast down those imaginations and take those
thoughts into captivity. Remember “the Lord is on my side, I will not fear, what can man
do to me?” in Ps 118:6 (Isa 12:2; II Tim 1:7). Keep your mind clear from fear. Let God
handle your problems. Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you (I Pet 5:7).