Overcoming the Fear of Man Through Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Examining Our Assumptions of Faith

Many believers begin their spiritual journey with the assumption that they are saved, and then they question why sin still persists in their lives. This approach can lead to confusion and doubt. Instead, it is crucial to examine one's life against the biblical standard of true Christianity to ensure that their faith is genuine. This involves a deep and honest reflection on one's actions, thoughts, and motivations, comparing them to the teachings of Christ. By doing so, believers can identify areas where they may have strayed and seek to realign themselves with God's will. This process is not about self-condemnation but about seeking truth and authenticity in one's faith journey. [01:32]

"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (James 1:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What assumptions have you made about your faith that need to be re-examined in light of Scripture today?

Day 2: Prioritizing the Fear of God

The fear of man can be a powerful snare, leading to behaviors such as people-pleasing and seeking worldly approval. However, Jesus teaches that we should fear God, who holds our eternal destiny, rather than those who can only harm the body. This shift in focus from fearing man to fearing God empowers believers to stand firm in their faith, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. By prioritizing God's approval, believers can find the courage to live out their faith boldly, knowing that their ultimate accountability is to Him. This perspective helps to realign priorities and encourages a life that is pleasing to God above all else. [08:46]

"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." (Matthew 10:28, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you more concerned with human approval than God's? How can you begin to shift your focus today?

Day 3: Embracing True Repentance

True repentance is not merely about seeking relief from the burden of sin but involves a transformation that aligns one's desires with God's will. This transformation is fueled by a consistent walk with the Lord, where time spent in prayer and the Word strengthens faith and equips believers to face the world's challenges. Repentance is about desiring more of God and less of the world, allowing His Spirit to guide and transform one's heart and mind. This ongoing process requires humility and a willingness to be molded by God's hands, leading to a life that reflects His love and truth. [04:03]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What specific desires or habits in your life need to be realigned with God's will? How can you take a step towards true repentance today?

Day 4: Seeking God's Approval Above All

The approval we seek most reveals whom we truly fear. If we prioritize God's approval, we will find the courage to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. This is a matter of faith and belief in God's presence and approval. By focusing on God's approval, believers can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that their worth and identity are rooted in Him. This perspective helps to diminish the power of human disapproval and encourages a life that is centered on God's truth and love. [09:09]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: Whose approval are you seeking in your daily decisions? How can you begin to prioritize God's approval in your life today?

Day 5: Renewing the Mind with Scripture

To overcome the fear of man, believers must continually renew their minds with Scripture. This renewal empowers them to live boldly for Christ, regardless of the cost, and ensures that their actions align with God's will. By immersing themselves in God's Word, believers can gain a deeper understanding of His character and promises, which strengthens their faith and equips them to face life's challenges. This ongoing process of renewal is essential for spiritual growth and helps to cultivate a mindset that is focused on God's truth and love. [22:35]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more time in Scripture into your daily routine to renew your mind and align your actions with God's will?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of the fear of man, we delve into a common struggle among believers: the tension between knowing one's identity in Christ and feeling dominated by unchristian conduct. Many Christians grapple with the question of how they can be saved and yet still be ensnared by sins like the fear of man. This fear manifests in various forms, such as social anxiety, people-pleasing, and seeking worldly approval. The root of this issue often lies in a faulty presupposition about one's faith and identity. Instead of assuming salvation and questioning the presence of sin, one should examine their life against the biblical standard of true Christianity.

The fear of man is a snare that can only be overcome by a deep-seated faith in God. Jesus teaches us not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear God, who holds our eternal destiny. This fear of God should surpass any fear of human disapproval. The approval we seek most reveals whom we truly fear. If we prioritize God's approval, we will find the courage to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition or ridicule.

True repentance involves a transformation that aligns our desires with God's will. It is not merely about seeking relief from the burden of sin but about desiring more of God. This transformation is fueled by a consistent walk with the Lord, where time spent in prayer and the Word strengthens our faith and equips us to face the world's challenges.

Ultimately, the fear of man and the desire for human approval are at odds with the call to live a life pleasing to God. As believers, we must continually renew our minds with Scripture, allowing the Spirit to guide us in truth. This renewal empowers us to live boldly for Christ, regardless of the cost.

Key Takeaways

1. Faulty Assumptions: Many believers start with the assumption of their salvation and then question the presence of sin in their lives. Instead, one should examine their life against the biblical standard of true Christianity to ensure their faith is genuine. [01:32]
2. **Fear of Man vs. Fear of God:** The fear of man is a snare that can only be overcome by fearing God more. Jesus teaches us to fear God, who holds our eternal destiny, rather than those who can only harm the body. This shift in focus empowers us to stand firm in our faith. [08:46]
3. True Repentance: True repentance involves a transformation that aligns our desires with God's will. It is not just about seeking relief from sin but about desiring more of God. This transformation is fueled by a consistent walk with the Lord. [04:03]
4. Approval and Faith: The approval we seek most reveals whom we truly fear. If we prioritize God's approval, we will find the courage to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. This is a matter of faith and belief in God's presence and approval. [09:09]
5. Renewal of the Mind: To overcome the fear of man, believers must continually renew their minds with Scripture. This renewal empowers us to live boldly for Christ, regardless of the cost, and ensures that our actions align with God's will. [22:35]
** [22:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Introduction to Fear of Man
[01:00] - Faulty Assumptions in Faith
[02:02] - Examining True Christianity
[03:03] - Pleading for Repentance
[04:17] - Struggle with Assurance
[05:17] - Theology of Fear
[06:06] - Biblical References on Fear
[07:11] - Faith and Overcoming Fear
[08:23] - Approval and Belief
[09:37] - Real-Life Examples
[11:02] - Courage in Faith
[12:03] - Hypocrisy and Man-Pleasing
[13:34] - Seeking God's Approval
[16:24] - Importance of Daily Walk
[18:29] - Pleasing God vs. Pleasing Man

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Overcoming the Fear of Man

Bible Reading:

Matthew 10:28 - "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."
Proverbs 29:25 - "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
John 5:44 - "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?"

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Observation Questions:

What does Matthew 10:28 teach us about the nature of fear and whom we should truly fear? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about fearing God over man? [05:17]
According to Proverbs 29:25, what is the consequence of fearing man, and what is the promise for those who trust in the Lord? How does this align with the sermon’s discussion on the fear of man being a snare? [06:06]
In John 5:44, what does Jesus identify as a barrier to belief? How does this relate to the sermon’s point about seeking approval from God rather than from people? [09:09]
How does the sermon describe the faulty assumptions many believers have about their salvation and the presence of sin in their lives? [01:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the fear of man manifest in everyday life according to the sermon, and why is it considered a snare? [06:06]
What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between true repentance and a desire for more of God? How does this differ from merely seeking relief from sin? [04:03]
How does the sermon explain the importance of renewing our minds with Scripture in overcoming the fear of man? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? [22:35]
In what ways does the approval we seek reveal whom we truly fear, according to the sermon? How does this impact our faith and courage to stand firm? [09:09]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent situation where you felt pressured to seek approval from others. How might focusing on God's approval have changed your response? [10:28]
Identify a specific area in your life where the fear of man has been a snare. What steps can you take to trust in the Lord and find safety, as promised in Proverbs 29:25? [06:06]
Consider your daily walk with God. How can you incorporate more consistent time in prayer and Scripture to strengthen your faith and align your desires with God's will? [16:24]
Think about a time when you prioritized human approval over God's. What was the outcome, and how can you shift your focus to seek God's glory in similar situations in the future? [09:09]
How can you practically apply the teaching of Matthew 10:28 in your life this week, especially in situations where you might face opposition or ridicule for your faith? [05:17]
What are some practical ways you can renew your mind with Scripture daily to combat the fear of man and live boldly for Christ? [22:35]
Reflect on the sermon’s message about true repentance. How can you ensure that your repentance involves a genuine transformation and desire for more of God, rather than just seeking relief from sin? [04:03]

Sermon Clips

I often get questions that are worded right this like you say like what I often get somebody that says to me I know I'm a Christian please explain to me how I can be living in sin that is that it that approach is common I know I've been regenerated I know I believed I know I'm a Christian and yet would you please explain to me how it is that I can be controlled by this unchristian conduct. [00:00:30]

One of the things is this we don't want to just assume or Christians and then ask the question it's like okay well I know I'm a Christian even though when I look at the Bible the things that the Bible says are true about Christians I don't see our true in my life so would you please explain to me I know I'm a Christian but how is it that my life can be characterized by unchristian conduct when I know I'm a Christian. [00:01:09]

God never tells us to plead for repentance God tells us to repent I hate this sin yet in my pleading with God for repentance and looking to Christ it seems I am only seeking to be cured from such sin the burden of anxiety without wanting more of God how can this be again he's asking me questions about how can this be I struggle in wondering how can such an odious sin be present in a believers life. [00:03:16]

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 then he goes on to say fear not there or you are more value than anybody think of any others you're getting you please the Congress 1:7 I fear the lorries the beginning of knowledge we're talking about the fear of man so whoever invested before them men ever confesses me before men. [00:05:32]

How can you believe who do what yep seek the glory of men receive honor from one another and not the glory or the honor that comes from God here's the thing how can you believe you know what it is an issue of faith it is an issue of believing if you really think about the fear of man. [00:07:35]

The issue is this that you fear him most whose approval you seek most and that's just that's a reality if you if you seek the glory of man then you fear man's disapproval more than anything else and that's the real issue and see what Jesus is doing is he's confronting us with the truth it really has to come down with what you believe. [00:09:09]

I remember being in that situation and and right there it's am I going to honor God or I'm going to laugh at these guys and I'm going to make these guys feel uncomfortable by the way I was on right now I'm going to seek God's approval is it their approval or God's approval and what happens is the scales come out instantaneously they come out whose approval do I seek most. [00:09:56]

God gives you a courage to do the right thing and to believe the right thing and to believe that he is worth having the approval of more than man is but it really comes down you have to be convinced you have to believe that reality when you're confronted with it look I don't know anybody maybe some of you can raise your hand and say you know what I really don't care what any man or any woman or any child thinks of me in any scenario at all. [00:11:09]

This is one of the tell-tale signs of true Christianity is when men and women claim they've been saved and you throw them this tends to be such a hallmark of the hypocrite they're men pleasers the hypocrite is a man pleaser he appears holy in certain situations because you're watching them and you want to appease you but I'll tell you you take him and you throw him on a barstool and he'll appease the people there. [00:12:03]

It all comes down to you know what I want the approval of my Lord more than I want their approval that's really the issue it tests to the hilt it tests what we believe is powerful and then there in John 5 that's the issue Jesus said I don't seek the glory of man that really needs to be the place we as Christians are yes there's a place to seek approval in the sense that you know you want to be a good worker at work. [00:13:34]

We need that word we need to be renewing our minds with that word all the time all the time because everything about this world this world is given to man pleasing and if you're not constantly in the scriptures constantly in the word constantly renewing your minds you just end up thinking worldly and the worldly way is to please it's to dress to please it's act to please to put on it it's put on a show to please is to get the applause. [00:22:29]

That's what the world does it's it's and even more it's - it's to get the the jealousy of other people it's to get the envy of other people it's to outdo other people so that they admire you and they want what you have and they covet what you have and they covet your spouse and they covet your house and they covet your vehicle and it's it's just living with this mindset all the time of other people other people other people. [00:23:06]

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Overcoming the Fear of Man Through Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Examining Our Assumptions of Faith

Day 2: Prioritizing the Fear of God

Day 3: Embracing True Repentance

Day 4: Seeking God's Approval Above All

Day 5: Renewing the Mind with Scripture

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Overcoming the Fear of Man Through Faith

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