Chapter. 13. How the Heart may be taken off from the fear of man.
Chapter 13:
How to Overcome the Fear of Man Firstly, it is important to recognize the negative aspects of fearing man. The following points highlight the evils associated with sinful fear of man or any danger that may befall us:
1. It goes against the solemn charges of God. God strongly warns His people to avoid this fear, considering it highly displeasing in His sight. There are numerous instances in Scripture where God solemnly commands His people to refrain from fearing man. For example, in Deuteronomy 20:3, God urges His people with words such as "let not your hearts faint," "fear not," "do not tremble," and "neither be terrified." Similarly, in Isaiah 41:13-14,
God reassures His people by saying, "Fear not, I will help thee," and even addresses them as "worm Jacob," emphasizing that they should not fear. In Matthew 10, within a few verses, there are multiple expressions cautioning against fear. These passages indicate that our human nature tends to be inclined towards sinful fear, while we often lack true fear of God. Thus, going against God's solemn charges is a grave evil.
2. It leads to idolizing the creature. When we excessively fear man, we elevate the creature above its rightful place and give it unwarranted power over us. Instead of recognizing God's ultimate authority and trusting in Him, we place undue importance on the opinions and actions of human beings.
3. It is incompatible with the state, spirit, and profession of a Christian. As followers of Christ, we are called to live by faith and not be controlled by fear. Our identity as Christians should be marked by courage, trust in God's providence, and a willingness to face opposition for the sake of truth.
4. It dishonours God and undermines His cause. When we fear man more than we fear God, we diminish God's glory and compromise the integrity of our faith. It hinders us from boldly proclaiming the truth and standing up for righteousness.
5. It strengthens the enemies of God's people. Our fear can embolden those who oppose God's purposes. When the enemies of truth witness believers succumbing to fear, it gives them confidence and discourages other Christians from taking a stand.
6. It is warned against as a severe judgment from God. Scripture warns that sinful fear of man can lead to severe consequences. It is considered a judgment from God upon a people, a sign of their rebellion and departure from Him.
The Word of Exhortation: How to Overcome the Fear of Man There are two aspects to addressing this matter: first, Christians must be cautious of sinful fear of man and recognize its evil nature; and second, we need to employ certain means to overcome this fear and redirect our hearts.
Firstly, we should heed the solemn charges of God and not give in to an excessive and sinful fear of man. God's Word repeatedly urges us to resist this fear and place our trust in Him. Ignoring these divine
warnings would be a grave error, given the weight placed on this matter in Scripture.
Secondly, fearing man or the creature is a form of idolatry, as it involves giving to the creature what is rightfully due to God. Just as we elevate the creature by loving, desiring, trusting, and rejoicing in it in an excessive and improper manner, fearing it inordinately and sinfully also constitutes idolizing the creature. This is especially significant because the emotion of fear is powerful and strongly captures the heart's attention. Therefore, God commands that He alone should be feared, as stated in Isaiah 8:13: "Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."
Consequently, to fear the creature sinfully is contrary to the sanctification of God's name and runs counter to the special worship that God demands for Himself. In verse 12, God exhorts His people to rid their hearts of fear towards man and the creature, advising them not to join in the fear that others may have or follow their sinful fear. The fear of God encompasses the entirety of His worship, so when one says, "I fear the Lord," it is equivalent to saying, "I worship the Lord." They are taught to worship Me by the commandments of men; they are taught to fear Me. Isaac was described as one who feared the name of God because his special worship of God was manifested through his fear of God's name.
Hence, if the fear of God's name is a distinctive aspect of God's worship, then giving that fear to the creature without subordination to God is a great evil.
Thirdly, it is highly unbecoming of the state, spirit, and profession of a Christian.
1. It is unbecoming of the Christian's state. What is the state of a Christian? It is an elevated state, higher than the world's state.
However, fearing man lowers their status by subjecting them to the whims and desires of others. We need not fear what man can do when he does not adhere to proper principles and misuses his power. Fearing sinfully means we submit ourselves to the lusts of men. It goes against the exalted state of a Christian to subject oneself to the desires of any person in the world. While we must submit to the authority of man according to God's rule, we should not subject ourselves to the lusts of any person, even if they are the greatest monarch in the world. The Christian's state is rich and established, but this fear makes it appear uncertain, as if we have nothing to rely upon. The Christian's state is accompanied by numerous privileges, yet this fear diminishes their significance, as if there were no good to counterbalance even the smallest evil. The Christian's state is one in which all the attributes of God work in their favour—His power, wisdom, mercy, and truth. However, this sinful fear makes it seem as if we have no help in times of difficulty and distress. The Christian's state is one that expects to encounter a significant amount of trouble along the way, but this fear presents a picture as if we only anticipate ease and comfort for the flesh. The Christian's state has already experienced different kinds of fears, such as the fear of God's wrath, the impact of justice, and the curse of the law. Yet, this sinful fear makes it seem as if we have never encountered such fear before.
It is unbecoming of the spirit of a Christian, as stated in 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." The spirit of a Christian is elevated, while fear is associated with a low spirit. The spirit of a Christian is strong,
whereas fear denotes a weak and effeminate spirit. The spirit of a Christian is built upon high principles, whereas fear stems from base principles. The spirit of a Christian is courageous, while fear is discouraged even in the face of minor dangers. The spirit of a Christian is characterised by love, while fear is marked by jealousy.
The spirit of a Christian is pure, but fear is tainted and conscious of its own abundance of evil.
Furthermore, it is unbecoming of the profession of a Christian. A Christian professes a special relationship with God, the covenant of grace, and the promises of the Gospel. To be intimidated by every little fear contradicts this profession. This is exemplified by Ezra in Ezra 8:22. After proclaiming God's presence with them, Ezra was ashamed to request soldiers from the king. He was hesitant to show fear towards the enemy. Similarly, when a Christian professes to have a connection with God but is gripped by base and sinful fear, it greatly contradicts the profession of genuine Christianity.
Moreover, sinful fear dishonours God and His cause. It reflects poorly on His power, truth, faithfulness, and care for His people. It is a dishonour to God and undermines the sanctification of His name.
Therefore, it is noteworthy that where the Lord rebukes His people for sinful fear, He also chastises them for not remembering Him. As stated in Isaiah 57:11, "And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me?" Sinful fear diverts the heart's focus away from God, as if there were no divine help available for a Christian. Consequently, when Nehemiah was confronted with attempts to instill fear in him, he refused to be afraid, recognising that it would dishonour God and His cause.
Additionally, sinful fear greatly emboldens the enemies of God's people and discourages God's people. It provides the enemies with increased confidence. As seen with Gideon, when he overheard the fearful conversation of his enemies, it bolstered his own courage.
Likewise, the spies sent to the land of Canaan were encouraged by the fear they instilled in the people. When one knows their adversary is afraid, it strengthens their resolve. A dog will chase after another that flees from it. This situation disheartens the people of God when they witness others being afraid in the cause of God.
Sixthly, it is a grave evil because it is threatened as a significant judgment from God upon a people. It is not merely a sin but also a punishment for past sins, as stated in Deuteronomy 28:65-66.
Christians should consider it a severe and great evil if they are overcome by the spirit of fear.
Seventhly, the evil of fear is evident in the detrimental effects it has on ourselves:
1. Fear causes our thoughts to become scattered and unfocused. In Isaiah 32:4, the word translated as "rash" actually means fear, as fear has the tendency to distract and confuse one's thoughts. It is considered admirable in courageous individuals like Alexander and Caesar that they were able to maintain control over their thoughts during times of danger, enabling them to make wise decisions and handle various tasks. Fear, on the other hand, typically leads to mental distraction.
2. Fear greatly weakens the heart. While a sudden surge of fear may initially produce a burst of energy and action, it ultimately drains the spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:3, weakness and fear are
mentioned together. Deuteronomy 20:3 also associates a fainting spirit with fear.
3. The fear of man significantly erodes the genuine fear of God, just as excessive love for the creature displaces the love of God and finding joy in sinful things replaces true joy in God. Isaiah 57:11 poses the question, "Of whom hast thou been afraid, or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me?" It is as if God is saying that His fear and the fear of the creature cannot coexist.
4. Sinful fear renders one entirely unfit for any kind of service or role in God's work. In Judges 7:3, God commands those with a fearful heart to return, indicating their unsuitability for His purposes.
5. The fear of man is a powerful snare. Proverbs 29:25 states that it leads individuals into many sinful and deceitful actions. In Isaiah 57:11, it is associated with lying. When servants are afraid of incurring their masters' displeasure, they resort to lying.
Similarly, when people are consumed by the fear of man, they may resort to various sinful measures, including lying, to avoid danger. As stated in Psalm 19, the fear of the Lord is pure, but the fear of man is highly impure. The fear of God purifies the heart, while the fear of man defiles and greatly corrupts it. Saul admitted, "I was afraid of the people and obeyed their voice" in 1
Samuel 15:24. Likewise, many individuals in the Scriptures recognized Jesus as the Christ, but were afraid and did not confess Him, as noted in John 12:42.
6. The fear of the creature entails numerous evils, particularly the emergence of desperate fears. If one succumbs to the fear of any
creature, dreading any danger and consequently avoiding it in a sinful manner, they subject themselves to the most desperate fears. Consider the woeful state of Francis Spira when he feared those who held power over him and, against his conscience, denied Christ. Oh, the dreadful torment of conscience he experienced! It is common for individuals who, against their enlightened consciences, evade God's ways to be burdened with fears they cannot bear, fears far more intense than the fear of man. In Jeremiah 1:17, God says to Jeremiah, "Do not be dismayed by their faces, lest I confound you before them." The same word translated as "dismayed" can also mean "fear." Do not fear, lest I fear you; do not be dismayed, lest I dismay you.
To reconcile both translations, the meaning may be that one should not fear, lest God instills fear to the point of confounding.
Thus, the significance of this observation is evident: By fearing the creature and dreading danger, we descend into the depths of the most desperate fears. Let this serve as a warning from God to us all: Do not be dismayed or afraid in any way that opposes
God, lest God terrify you. We have witnessed numerous dreadful examples of individuals on their sickbeds or deathbeds who have endured fearful apprehensions, leading them to act against their conscience out of fear.
7. Lastly, the final consequence of sinful fear is the judgment of God resulting in our destruction. In Revelation 21:8, among those cast into the lake of fire and brimstone are the fearful.
Therefore, we must exercise caution regarding sinful fear and make God our sole fear.
To conclude this argument with an exhortation, as sinful fear is an immensely dreadful evil, the true fear of God is a precious jewel. In
Isaiah 33:6, the fear of the Lord is referred to as the treasure of God's people. Sinful fear possesses a treasure trove of evil and should therefore be avoided. Therefore, let us be cautious of sinful fear of the creature. Just as God instructed through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 41:4, saying to those of a fearful heart, "Do not be afraid," let me also say to you, the people of God, in your journey with God, although you may naturally tend to be fearful, if your hearts have come under the influence of the Gospel, there is now a spirit of courage within you. As Lactantius expressed, speaking of the power of the Christian religion on the hearts of individuals, give me a man who is afraid of pain and death, and once the Christian religion prevails in his heart, he will readily defy crucifying fire and even the cruel torture of Phalaris' Bull, in which that savage tyrant delighted to hear the screams of those placed within it when it was made scorching hot.
In the Epistle of Saint Peter, the Holy Spirit directs his exhortation to women who are naturally fearful (1 Peter 3:6). It may seem peculiar at first glance how the Apostle addresses this to women. It is presented as follows: If you consider Sarah, the wife of Abraham,
Abraham was called to leave his own country and was likely to encounter many dangers, difficulties, and hardships. Sarah is commended and set as an example for all Christian women because, although she was naturally fearful as a woman, she did not hinder
Abraham. She did not succumb to paralyzing fear. She overcame her natural fear through her faith. This is an important lesson for women. When God calls their husbands to leave their homeland, they may be willing, but their wives may be fearful of the sea and difficulties, becoming hindrances to them. However, if they desire to be daughters of Sarah, they should follow her example and not be afraid with overwhelming fear. They should be true companions,
supporting their husbands in their work, rather than hindering them with passionate fear.
Furthermore, the mention of "whose daughters you are" is directed to Christian women. Some of them may have unbelieving husbands.
Now the Apostle encourages them to imitate Sarah's example and, through faith, surpass the limitations imposed by their gender. Their husbands may threaten them, saying that if they continue on this path, they will live an uncomfortable life. Such words can discourage many and hinder their progress. Thus, the Apostle emphasizes that if God has revealed His truth to them, they should not be afraid with overwhelming fear, regardless of the difficulties they may face.
Moreover, living in those times, whether their husbands were good or bad, they were likely to suffer persecution. They might question how weaker women like themselves would be able to endure imprisonment or death by fire. Such thoughts could weaken even the strongest individuals. Therefore, the Apostle directs this message to women, urging them not to be afraid with overwhelming fear. They have a mighty God who will be with them in whatever suffering they are called to endure.
Scripture contains numerous gracious promises that a time will come when God will deliver His people from the fear of man. That will be a blessed time, for much harm comes to God's people through sinful fear of man. We should strive to fulfill God's promises as much as we can. In Isaiah 54:11, God promises, "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempests, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires." Where has this promise ever been fulfilled? The condition of the Church will be glorious, for God will lay the foundations with sapphires and the
stones with beautiful colours. Normally, we lay foundations with rubble and ordinary stones, but God will adorn them with sapphires.
Verse 14 continues, "In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." Similarly, in Jeremiah 23:4, God declares, "I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed." Many people have shepherds, but they fear losing them. However, in that promised time, they will have shepherds and will not live in fear. This theme is also echoed in Jeremiah 30:10-11 and chapter 46, verse 27.
There is a blessed condition of God's people, and the more it is fulfilled in us, the more glorious our state shall be. I have come across an interesting observation regarding a passage in the Song of Solomon 8:4. It says, "I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please." In earlier parts of the book, in Song of Solomon 2:7 and 3:5, the church charges in a different way, saying, "I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please." However, in Song of Solomon 8:4, the reference to the roes and hinds of the field is omitted. Instead, she simply charges them not to stir up her beloved until he pleases.
What does it mean to stir up her beloved? And what is the significance of the roes and hinds? "Stir not up my beloved till he please" means that when the church is in a state of comfort, there is a charge to not do anything that would disrupt or make it uncomfortable, not to provoke Christ in a way that displeases him.
As for the roes and hinds, they are fearful and timid creatures that flee at the slightest movement. Similarly, some conditions of the church are such that many would be willing to join, but if they
perceive even the slightest danger or turmoil, they would immediately run away. Therefore, the charge is directed towards the church of God. When God has granted prosperity and peace, they must be cautious not to take actions that would jeopardise their prosperity. Many are observing them and would like to join, but they themselves are fearful and not firmly established to face risks and troubles. If they cause disturbances and stir up Christ prematurely, those who are fearful by nature will be afraid. They will reason, "We thought of joining them, but now we see the troubles that are likely to arise among them." These are the roes and hinds that retreat.
However, as the church later reaches a more established state, those whom God intends to bring into His people should not possess such fearful natures. Thus, in Song of Solomon 8, the reference to the roes and hinds is omitted, and the charge remains: "Take heed to what you do." Indeed, there is no longer the same danger of fearful natures. Those whom God will bring in will come through dangers and troubles. They will reason that there have always been troubles among God's people since the beginning of the world, and they will not turn back because of them. Nevertheless, it is important to be cautious of troubles and disturbances.
Now, there are several specific ways to help overcome these fears, such as:
1. Work on redirecting your love away from worldly things, and you will not have much fear. An ancient saying goes, "He who has nothing in the world that he loves, has nothing in the world that he fears." The foundation of all fear is love. The more we love something, the more we fear its opposite. So, let us diminish our attachment to worldly things, and we shall diminish our fear of them.
2. Let us obtain and maintain our connection with God, as that will guard us against the fear of the creature.
3. Let us strive to clearly see that the cause we are involved in is God's cause.
4. Consider the calling of that cause. Even if the cause is good, if we do not have a genuine calling to it, we cannot be helped against fear.
5. Endeavour to view it as an honour, a richness, and a satisfaction to be engaged in God's service in any capacity. Regardless of the outcome, if I should endure certain troubles in the process, let the will of God be done. God calls for my possessions, my freedom, and my comfort to be used in this way, and that is sufficient. Anything I possess may be employed in God's way, and if it is lost in God's service, it is a worthwhile loss. If our hearts are aligned with this mindset, we will not fear the loss of anything.
6. Maintain a clear conscience in God's path. As stated in Job 11:14-15, "If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far from thee; and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacle. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast and not fear." When the heart begins to deviate even slightly, it becomes filled with fear.
7. Maintain a close, genuine, and comforting fellowship with one another. Let there be no fear among yourselves. This is exemplified in a notable passage in 1 Corinthians 16:10, where the care of Saint Paul over Timothy is mentioned. Paul wanted
Timothy to be with the church without fear, especially
considering his youth and vulnerability. It serves as a means to assist Timothy in navigating any troubles he may encounter in his journey. Likewise, by maintaining strong unity with one another, you will find it to be a significant way to strengthen your hearts and be fearless in the face of the world's dangers.
8. If you feel the need to fear, then fear prosperity rather than trouble. In truth, there is more reason to fear our comfort and prosperity than any trouble in the world. There is greater cause to fear the favors of people than their threats. The world should be feared when it approaches like a cunning fox, rather than when it appears as a fierce lion. The joys of this present world should be feared by a Christian. However, Christians often fear present adversity entirely while neglecting the fear of prosperity.
Therefore, strive to develop a fear of prosperity.
9. Lastly, consider how little benefit fearing any creature will bring.
It will not alleviate the evil you fear in the slightest. Instead, it may hasten its arrival. Just as when Peter was afraid of the waves and feared sinking, did it help him? No, it only brought the waves upon him. Similarly, in times of trouble, your fear cannot aid in your deliverance but may instead invite trouble sooner. It is worth noting the difference between John and the other disciples. When Christ was arrested, all the disciples fled except for John. He stood his ground in the priest's hall and even at the cross, Jesus entrusted his mother to John's care.
John was not afraid for his life. Whereas none of the disciples who fled for their lives survived, John, who did not flee, lived for eighty years after Christ and continued in his ministry. This demonstrates that God often preserves those who exhibit the least fear, while those who succumb to fear may fall into the very