| |
Fear
Of Man
We
doubt if there be any other one thing that prevents God's
people living unto God as they should so much as the fear
of man. It is so very subtle and cunning that many may
have it and not be aware of it. There is an independence
of man that is wrong and there is an independence that is
most Christlike. Holy living is to live unto God though
all the world might oppose. Our dearest friend on earth
must not be allowed to cause us to deviate one hair's
breadth from trueness to God. Here is one of the places in
the Christian's life that should be closely watched and
guarded. Peter swerved from the true path when he refused
to eat with the Gentiles for fear of the Jews. This was
after Pentecost. Paul reproved him. This took some courage
on the part of Paul, but faithfulness required it.
"The fear of man bringeth a snare." (Prov. 29
:25). Many a one has fallen into this snare. Alas, how
many have made compromise with man for man's favor!
"Conscious dependence upon God is the spirit of
independence toward all men." Perfect love casts out
all fear of man. Those who can be influenced by men are
not made perfect in love. It is argued by some that we
should desire all men to think well of us that we might do
them good. This is true, but oh, how careful we need to be
that it is solely that we "might do them good."
Beware lest there be something of self there. We should
desire to have influence with men for Jesus' sake, but for
no other purpose. If faithfulness to God causes you to
lose influence with men, then it were better for them and
you also that you lose it. If you have to step aside from
godly living to have influence with men, you are ensnared.
The apostle said, "But with me it is a very small
thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment." (1 Cor. 4 3). To suppress or modify truth
by word or act is coming short of holy living. To give
aid, or to abet by word or deed any spirit of levity,
worldliness, or untruthfulness through man's influence is
unfaithfulness to God.
table
of contents
|
|
