Monday, December 13, 2010

The Fear of Man

John 9:18-23

But the Jewish leaders would not believe that the man had once been blind. They sent for his parents 19and asked them, "Is this the son that you said was born blind? How can he now see?"
    20The man's parents answered, "We are certain that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind. 21But we don't know how he got his sight or who gave it to him. Ask him! He is old enough to speak for himself."
    22-23The man's parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. The leaders had already agreed that no one was to have anything to do with anyone who said Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus had just healed a blind man, one who had been blind from birth.  It was an amazing miracle—the cure was so profound that even those he’d been around every day didn’t recognize him.  (See verse 9.)  The blind man didn’t know who had healed him, except His name was Jesus (v.11.) No one had ever opened the eyes of the blind before (9:32), yet the Pharisees refused to “see” the miracle’s message!  Their obedience was “blind,” and blinded them to the truth of who Jesus was.  

They interrogated both the man and his parents.  The man began to truly “see” Jesus through steps of faith, but his parents reacted in fear and became lost.
When the Israelites traveled through the wilderness headed toward the Promised Land, they had God guiding and protecting them.  They had a pillar of cloud (shade and air conditioning!) by day, and a pillar of fire (protection and warmth) by night.  God was with them every step of the way, just as He had promised:
Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go ~Nehemiah 9:19.
Even though they knew that God was with them, they were still very much afraid of the people of the land (“There are giants in the land—we look like grasshoppers to them!” Num. 13:33.)  It doesn’t seem rational to fear people of any size when your God stands among you in the form of a fire, but fear is irrational.  Fear causes us to stumble in more ways than we can count!  This formerly blind man’s parents were the prey of fear.
        Proverbs 29:25 says The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
        His folks were afraid of the Jews and didn’t want to be put out of the synagogue.  What was the snare?  Acceptance of the religious rulers’ decrees would bring them social acceptance but at the same time it would bring them spiritual rejection.
        Jesus said in Matthew And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
        And in Luke, "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
        Of whom is Jesus speaking?  He’s talking about fearing the Lord.  Proverbs says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
        Fear is an old tool of the devil.  If he can get you to fear man, he can keep you from the love of God.  Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8,) except ourselves.  Fear will do this in your life. 
        Some scriptures:
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life ~ Prov. 22:24
The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil ~ Prov. 19:23.
The fear of the LORD prolongs days (Prov. 10:27a) and in the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. (Prov. 14:26.)
In what ways has fear taken hold in your life?  Do you fear what people will think?  Are you afraid of doing what you know is right because of this?  Consider His promises to you.  Ponder His words and relent of being afraid!
Oh, beloved, now is the time!  Today is the day!  Repent of being fearful and become faithful!  God knows your heart and He wants to free you from fear.  Be free!
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32.)
Dear Abba,
I ask for forgiveness for walking in fear in some areas of my life.  Please free me from the fear of man, of circumstances, of my own actions.  Free me to serve You with all of my heart, and make me able to go and honor You wherever You send me.  Amen.