CMS Session Four, An Effective Servant Fears God

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Session 4: An Effective servant fears God

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

On the missions field, the fear of man has been an enormous snare.

The fear of man is a trap that swallows up its visitors.

Fear (definition) - to tremble, to quake, to shake. Fear before men brings a snare. It is a very American way of thinking to say “if you don't like me, that’s OK.” In Mexico people go way out of their way to please men; they just go with the flow. So you say that you don't care about what people think of you?

Some examples of biblical figures that feared men:

- Abraham feared man and because of that he lied about who Sarah was in Egypt.

- The spies sent into Canaan feared men and decided not to go into the land.

- Aaron feared men and when Moses was gone on the mountain he gave in and did what the people desired.

- The leaders in Jesus' time feared men and therefore navigated carefully when answering questions.

- Peter swore he would never deny his Lord, but because he feared one servant girl, he denied Him.

Because of the fear of man, many people reject the gospel. They will say that they understand it and that they understand the implications of it, but they will not accept him at the thought of what their family and friends will say. It is because of the fear of man that many do not share Christ with their neighbors. In this context many find it strange that we are told to fear the Lord. Fear is the proper attitude of the creature toward the creator.

All of us are directed by fear in each one of our decisions, our preferences, our priorities. We therefore must choose how to act and form our priorities based on our fears.

Many believers don't share or speak publicly because they fear man. This fear quenches our testimonies, silences our worship, and hinders our prayers.

Fear of God is positive; it is the proper attitude of a creature before its creator.

The fear of man is a TRAP. This fear betrays us into participating in the sins of others. It Promotes such sins as favoritism, hypocrisy, and cowardice. It never satisfies. No matter who we try to please, another person will be unhappy. Fear of man prevents us from putting our eyes on the Lord.

The fear of man is IDOLATRY. We fear man and not because we love man and wish his good, but because we love ourselves above anything else in the world and wish our own good.

The fear of man is an OBSTACLE. The fear of man is an obstacle to what the Holy Spirit is trying to accomplish in my life and through me. Elijah did not fear man when confronting the Baal prophets other examples of this are David when facing Goliath, Nathan when confronting David, and John the Baptist throughout his ministry.

What the fear of man causes us to do:

-The fear of man in us makes us seek other people's applause.

-The fear of man makes us think more highly of ourselves than we should.

-The fear of man dejects us when others speaks badly of us.

-The fear of man makes us angry when others receive recognition that we deserve.

-The fear of man drives us to let everyone know when a mistruth has been told about us.

-The fear of man makes us joke or poke fun at others.

-The fear of man makes us not speak of Christ to others.

-The fear of man makes us ignore sin in our lives and in the lives of others.

-The fear of man makes us speak when we should be silent and silent when we should speak.

-The fear of man makes us choose other commitments over our family.

-The fear of man incapacitates us.

So what is the antidote to the fear of man?

Overcoming the fear of man

1-The fear of God

Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

2-Acknowledge the Lord's presence

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

(Heb 13:5-6 ESV)

3-Trust God for temporal deliverance, without expecting that He must exercise it

Daniel 3:17-18 (ESV)

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."