The fear of man is made blindingly obvious when people are driven:

• by fashion consciousness,
• by being easily embarrassed (even when doing right),
• by a quickness to defend ourselves (with lies, if need be),
• using argumentative justifications and deceptions to gain honor from others, by pretending to understand when we don’t,
• by giving compliments which we really don’t mean,
• by pretending to agree when we should disagree,
• by avoiding giving honest assessments or warnings even when necessary.

BIG LIST!

A man-fearer/ pleaser will not only displease God, but will also ultimately be considered totally unstable and untrustworthy by others – because he or she will change their mind as soon as they face someone else.

In other words, the “honor” that they receive is only a momentary acknowledgement for “convenience” provided by their “man-pleasing” deed. Man-fearers are “used,” and then despised.

Besides…

… who knows when a “Man-fearer” may turn against you, and “Slay” you, so as to obtain honour from men?

Look at the way politicians cave in under pressure due to the fear of man and maybe then loosing face in front of the “Big People”! And, even if a man-fearer is loved or adored by another, he himself is not loved but rather his “pretended-self” is the “one” that is loved.

FEAR OF GOD

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10.

WISDOM! It’s a lacking commodity in this nutty world today!

The word ‘fear” means to “reverence.” One who reverences or has a holy honor towards God is more concerned about what God thinks rather than what men think. (Acts 4:19)

The result of such reverence is a single-minded obedience to God’s Word, and a single-minded aim to glorify God.

A God-fearer is willing to suffer shame and pain rather than to disobey God (like Daniel and his friends, Daniel 3).

The fear of God is the result of loving Him, because He first loved us, honoring Him, because He is constantly watching us, and expecting to receive from Him alone (not the ever fickle crowd)-all of our present and eternal rewards.

Since man’s ways are usually opposite to God’s, there will be a continuous struggle in our minds and flesh whether to honor God or man.

The reverence of God is shown in our lives by a godly carefulness regarding being “In fashion” as in, “hip and socially trendy”, slowness to be embarrassed before people because of purity and moral goodness, speech that will not only compliment genuinely but also warn (in a gracious and loving manner), [Romans 10:18] a quickness to defend God’s honor and a quickness to admit our own mistakes, a caution to accept lavish compliments and a quickness to give the glory to God.

One who Fears God is stable, Predictable and Trustworthy –

He or she will simply obey God’s Word and will not change their minds when new “oozy and esoteric concepts” try to invade and obscure truth.

Especially when under the pressure of the many faces or “undertones of condescension.”

CONCLUSION:

We must stop just “acting” or attempting to be spiritual. We must “BE” spiritual! Live it!

Not as a pompous and bloated bag of wordy doctrine!

Instead, we absolutely must stop concentrating on the outside and start concentrating on the inside!

Management experts say that there is no formula for success but God says:

“Keep the words of this bond of agreement , and follow through with them so that you will flourish in all that you do,” Deuteronomy 29:9.

LORD! Show us your grace and mercy in these days of the constant push for self-gratification and a world gone identity blind! Teach us to love truth, to love mercy and to walk humbly as we act with godly Justice, lead by the voice of your will and word.
Amen.

 

~ Mary Lindow ^©

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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others in all generations and careers or vocations to live and express excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She is a sought after keynote inspirational and humorous speaker and teacher throughout the United States internationally in Ministers conferences, International Spiritual leaders Conferences, and in National and International training seminars for various organizations.

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