BE GOD FEARING, NOT GOD FORSAKING.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*BE GOD FEARING, NOT GOD FORSAKING.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Jer 5:26 *For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Be God fearing, not God forsaking.

Acts 5:29 *Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.*

*Scripture Commentaries.*

God never wishes any of His children be in bondage or under a snare of anyone.

However, people create and invoke their fears on other people .

They put themselves in positions that instill fear. Besides their positions in authority, they use wealth and other machineries of influence to oppress people in order to subject them under fear.

We are to obey and submit to our leaders, Heb 13:17.

To suppress people in order to earn their fear is oppression. It is not a fear that commands respect but one of intimidation and totalitarianism.

To sing praises of people in order to secure favor is not a fear of respect and humility but one of subjecting oneself to their control and dominion . This produces a fear for them

These are condemned by God, Eph 6:6. By these, people are ensnared and they ensnare themselves.

Simply put, a snare is a trap and a form of bondage.

Fear of man is one of Satan's potent weapons. The one who fears man more than God is not God fearing but God forsaking.

For example, the fear of man can stop us from proclaiming the gospel. It can stop us from telling the truth, etc, 1 Kgs 21:9-10.

Indicators of the fear of man are seen in sycophants (people of compromised values), flatterers, men-pleasers, etc.

People who people fear often take the place of the true God in the lives of their fearers.

Most, if not all, whom people fear are worshipped by the people who fear them.

People who people fear always look for affirmations from those around them, and they get it.

When we fear men, we can not fear God.

When we fear men, their fear replaces God in our lives.

How can we overcome the fear of fellow children of men?

First, the fear of man can be a snare when we allow it to influence our decisions.than, obey the voice of the Holy Spirit (John 10:27).

Second, if we fear men, we will lose eternal rewards. The fear of men may earn us rewards here, but it is temporary, and it is unjustified rewards..

Third, people who fear God rather than men know that they would forever reap rewards for their faithfulness, Acts 5:29.

Fourth, the beginning of wisdom in life starts with the fear of God. Any other fear of anyone outside God will be the beginning of foolishness, Ps 111:10.

We must avoid the desire to be more important than the Word of God. If the ways of men, though incorrect, have become more tolerant to us, then our ability to think righteously is distorted.

Becareful, the fear of man must never replace biblical conviction.

Be God fearing, not God forsaking.

*Remorse corner.*

Though we may gain applause now but we will lose endorsement when we see the Father, Matt 25:21

*Call to Word action.*

Rom 8:31 points us totally away from the fear of man.

*What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

The fear of man must never determine our outer course. God must be our guide.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to fear You. Let not the fear of man steal my treasure in Heaven, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.