Proverbs 29:25 says that “The fear of man lays a snare.” A snare is a trap. Most people feel trapped on a regular basis by the opinions and pressures of other people. Yet the trap isn’t other people; it’s an unhealthy fear of other people. Co-dependency, peer pressure, insecurity – these are just a few ways this shows up in our lives. This is no way to live, especially for those who’ve been freed by the love of God in Christ. The good news is that though the fear of man is a snare, those who trust in the Lord are kept safe (Prov. 29:25). Our greatest need is to recognize our vertical acceptance. When we do, we won’t demand the horizontal acceptance of others.
Our next class will focus on this topic in ways that are biblical and practical, while getting to the heart. Join us Wednesdays at 6:30pm!
April 19th – What is the Fear of Man?
April 26th – What is the Fear of God?
May 3rd – Fear of Exposure, Rejection, or Harm
May 10th – A New Vision for Life: Loving & Serving, Not Fearing & Needing
Recommended Resources:
Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small
Lou Priolo, Pleasing People: How Not to be an Approval Junkie
Tim Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness