"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." - Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
This is my latest Siesta Scripture Memory Team verse. I have to admit that I am not being as diligent as I should in memorising my verses, but I can feel a change coming on. God is instilling into my heart the importance of going to His Word first when troubles arise instead of finding advice and solace in family and friends. This verse is in keeping with this lesson He is teaching me; rely on Him and not on man.
I came upon this verse in Brother Yun's book, "Living Water". He writes that "It's hard for a person with the fear of man to properly hear God's voice, because he will always be worried about the different opinions and criticisms people have. They will prevent you from moving forward and fulfilling all that God has for you to do." He then shares how the solution to this dilemma comes in Proverbs 14:26-27 where it says, "He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death."
My companion Bible (The Bullinger Bible) expands on this verse very well. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso confideth in the LORD shall be set on high.” The adjacent notes on this verse show fear as referring “to the inward feeling of timidity.” It also shows that “The fear…a snare” being “one of the two great snares. The other is ‘the praise of man’.” Confideth means to “putteth his trust” and “set on high” is to feel safe.
For me this is a powerful message as I have always, and I mean ALWAYS, worried about the opinions of other people, and have undertaken most things in life because someone else (not God obviously) said it was an OK thing to do. Brother Yun goes on to say that we basically have no right to be afraid of what people think or even be interesting in their opinions of us. He writes, "We are meant to be dead to this world and everything it represents." It only matters what God thinks at the end of it all. He is the one that will cast judgement on us, and He is the One I am answerable to. He gave me this life, with a purpose already set out, and I must look to Him first and foremost in all things. Does it matter if Joe Bloggs down the road thinks that I should do this or that with my house, my car, my hair, my child, my life, etc? No, it does not. It only matters that I am living the life that God gave me, in this frail human form that it is but for His divine purpose.
The opinion of man, the worldly acceptance as a person, the friendship of a cynical person; do all these things really matter? No, only God and my relationship with Him and how I live my life for Him is what ultimately matters.
This is my latest Siesta Scripture Memory Team verse. I have to admit that I am not being as diligent as I should in memorising my verses, but I can feel a change coming on. God is instilling into my heart the importance of going to His Word first when troubles arise instead of finding advice and solace in family and friends. This verse is in keeping with this lesson He is teaching me; rely on Him and not on man.
I came upon this verse in Brother Yun's book, "Living Water". He writes that "It's hard for a person with the fear of man to properly hear God's voice, because he will always be worried about the different opinions and criticisms people have. They will prevent you from moving forward and fulfilling all that God has for you to do." He then shares how the solution to this dilemma comes in Proverbs 14:26-27 where it says, "He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death."
My companion Bible (The Bullinger Bible) expands on this verse very well. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso confideth in the LORD shall be set on high.” The adjacent notes on this verse show fear as referring “to the inward feeling of timidity.” It also shows that “The fear…a snare” being “one of the two great snares. The other is ‘the praise of man’.” Confideth means to “putteth his trust” and “set on high” is to feel safe.
For me this is a powerful message as I have always, and I mean ALWAYS, worried about the opinions of other people, and have undertaken most things in life because someone else (not God obviously) said it was an OK thing to do. Brother Yun goes on to say that we basically have no right to be afraid of what people think or even be interesting in their opinions of us. He writes, "We are meant to be dead to this world and everything it represents." It only matters what God thinks at the end of it all. He is the one that will cast judgement on us, and He is the One I am answerable to. He gave me this life, with a purpose already set out, and I must look to Him first and foremost in all things. Does it matter if Joe Bloggs down the road thinks that I should do this or that with my house, my car, my hair, my child, my life, etc? No, it does not. It only matters that I am living the life that God gave me, in this frail human form that it is but for His divine purpose.
The opinion of man, the worldly acceptance as a person, the friendship of a cynical person; do all these things really matter? No, only God and my relationship with Him and how I live my life for Him is what ultimately matters.
ooooooooh. I needed that verse! I may have to "steal" that one next time. What a treasure from His Word. He just amazes me!!!
ReplyDeletegreat post, friend!
Growing up the way that I did Paula I was the queen of 'PEOPLE PLEASING'. I not only cared about what people said but I would often structure my life around their needs.
ReplyDeleteFREEDOM IN CHRIST IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!!! PRAISE THE LORD!
Your post reminded me of a book by Joyce Meyer titled: Approval Addiction. I read it a long time ago. It was very good and very helpful.
Bless you and your precious little girl.
Why haven't I been reading your blog every day? I came back today because your words yesterday were just what I needed to read at that moment. And now I'm reading this one and it's also very good! Sometimes I get caught up in pleasing people. You're so right. Pleasing the Lord should be my only concern. Bless you Paula for writing these things.
ReplyDelete