Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.
I am going to discuss why we should not fear man and how it can cause us to lose faith and blind us.
We must fear God and not man if we want God’s protection. Fear of man cannot only cause us to lose favor with God it can blind us to paths God has put in place for us. Most fear blinds us, except reverential fear of God opens our eyes. Many have a fear of retribution. This is the wrong type of fear. God is a God of mercy and knows we are imperfect. It is our faith and our willingness to give up sin as we read his word and it shows us areas we need to work on so we do not sin. If we were perfect and did not sin then God would not have had to have the bible written to guide us and teach us how to be aware of our sins and how to overcome them. The bible tells us the ransom does not cover those who sin deliberately after learning about a sin they may be committing because they are doing it deliberately. This does not mean if we slip once in a while we are not covered by the ransom, it means when we plan ahead for sin knowing what we are doing is wrong. We we do such things it is very important to stop because there is know ransom for those who continue to sin knowing it is wrong. Those are the ones who have a fear of retribution. Those who continue to grow spiritually and overcome their sin daily are the ones who enjoy the reverential fear. This fear is more a fear of not wanting to cause God’s heart to be hurt by our disobedience.
Fear of losing wealth and our belongings can give us a fear of man. Fear of God will give us life.
We have to remember that man may be able to kill us but God can undo anything they do, no one can undo those Jehovah destroys.
If we do not know God how can we have faith. We must read his word and apply it or we will not learn and develop our faith and we will shrink back to destruction. God has always protected his people and provided for them. Not a single promise he had made went unfulfilled. We have have faith the future promises he made will be kept.
No matter how tough things get God will give us the strength to endure. Why worry about wealth we cannot take it with us when we die. The bible says the world is passing away and so is it’s desire very soon many of the people and material things of this world will be gone soon. If we put our faith in those instead of God then what do we have left when this is all gone?
We must put on the complete suit of armor from God to keep fear of man from ensnaring us. This involves praying, studying God’s word, applying what we have learned and letting it guide us until it becomes habit and we automatically know what to do. We have to be persistent in prayer. Sharing his word with others also works as a protection. It helps build our faith and helps us to remember his word.
Wealth cannot protect us the way God can. We have the example of Daniel and his friends when he was thrown into the fiery furnace. He would not bow to the idol and went against the kings orders. So the king ordered the furnace be made extremely hot. The furnace was so hot the men who put Daniel and his companions in it died from the heat. God sent angels to protect them. They were protected so well that even the smoke from the furnace did not touch their clothes.
All these things will be gone soon. We know we are in the last days, chances are many of us will lose things we have worked hard for. We need to decide are we going to fear man and gain the world which results in death or fear God and live. This is all temporary but the treasures in heaven no one can take from us. So we should work towards storing up treasures in heaven.
The bible warns the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. The bible also tells us few would enter the narrow gate. We enter the narrow gate by putting our trust in Jesus, obeying the commands and laws he gave us when he made the new covenant, and doing our best to imitate him. Don’t be afraid to enter the narrow gate that leads to life. God will repay each of us for our work. We also have to believe Jesus was the ransom sacrifice, he was resurrected and is now sitting on the heavenly throne waiting to save all those who remain loyal and faithful to him and God.
Many fear death but if we are loyal and faithful to God and Jesus we do not have to fear death because the righteous will experience a resurrection of life. What hope do those who do not want to know God and Jesus have? God will not forget all the work we have done in trying to serve him.
We do not have to fear because very soon God will set matters straight and all God’s enemies will be gone. Only those who had faith and loved the one true God will remain forever. If we only put our faith in the things we can see those will perish soon then what do we have left? Faith is required by God, we cannot see him or the future promises but by completely trusting him and not being afraid even of death we are putting our faith in the things we cannot see. The things we cannot see will not perish.
We are in the last days. Many of us will suffer just as the apostles did, but God will guard our hearts and give us real peace through it all. The bible says many will survive the great tribulation. The suffering will not last long because we are told Jesus will cut it short.
(Proverbs 22:1-5) 22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth; To be respected is better than silver and gold. 2The rich and the poor have this in common: Jehovah made them both. 3The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, But the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences. 4 The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah Is riches and glory and life. 5Thorns and traps are in the crooked man’s path, But whoever values his life keeps far away from them.
(Proverbs 29:25) 25Trembling at men is a snare, But the one trusting in Jehovah will be protected.
(Matthew 10:28) And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Ge·hen′na
(John 5:25-29) 25“Most truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have paid attention will live. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to do judging, because he is the Son of man. 28Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
(Hebrews 10:35-39) 35Therefore, do not throw away your boldness, which will be richly rewarded. 36For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. 37For yet “a very little while,” and “the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.” 38“But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,” and “if he shrinks back, I have no pleasure in him.” 39Now we are not the sort who shrink back to destruction, but the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.
(Philippians 4:10-13) 10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you have renewed your concern for me. Though you were concerned about me, you lacked opportunity to show it. 11Not that I am saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be self-sufficient regardless of my circumstances. 12I know how to be low on provisions and how to have an abundance. In everything and in all circumstances I have learned the secret of both how to be full and how to hunger, both how to have an abundance and how to do without. 13For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power..
(1 Timothy 6:. 6To be sure, there is great gain in godly devotion along with contentment. 7For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. 8So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things..
(Acts 20:31-35) 31Therefore keep awake, and bear in mind that for three years, night and day, I never stopped admonishing each one of you with tears. 32And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his undeserved kindness, which word can build you up and give you the inheritance among all the sanctified ones. 33I have desired no man’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my own needs and the needs of those with me. 35I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, you must assist those who are weak and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”
(Ephesians 6:10-20) 10Finally, go on acquiring power in the Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. 11Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; 12because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13For this reason take up the complete suit of armor from God, so that you may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after you have accomplished everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm, therefore, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having your feet shod in readiness to declare the good news of peace. 16Besides all of this, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the wicked one’s burning arrows. 17Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, 18while with every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit. And to that end stay awake, constantly making supplication in behalf of all the holy ones. 19Pray also for me, that the words may be given to me when I open my mouth, so that I may be able to speak boldly in making known the sacred secret of the good news, 20for which I am acting as an ambassador in chains, and that I may speak about it with boldness, as I ought to speak.
(Daniel 6:18-22) 18The king then went to his palace. He passed the night fasting and refused any entertainment, and he could not sleep. 19Finally at the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ pit. 20As he got near the pit, he called out to Daniel with a sad voice. The king asked Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are continually serving been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21Daniel immediately said to the king: “O king, may you live on forever. 22My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before him; nor have I done any wrong to you, O king.” 23The king was overjoyed, and he commanded that Daniel be lifted up out of the pit. When Daniel was lifted up out of the pit, he was completely unharmed, because he had trusted in his God..
(Acts 7:54-60) 54Well, at hearing these things, they were infuriated in their hearts and began to grind their teeth at him. 55But he, being full of holy spirit, gazed into heaven and caught sight of God’s glory and of Jesus standing at God’s right hand, 56and he said: “Look! I see the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand.” 57At this they cried out at the top of their voices and put their hands over their ears and rushed at him all together. 58After throwing him outside the city, they began stoning him. The witnesses laid down their outer garments at the feet of a young man called Saul. 59As they were stoning Stephen, he made this appeal: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then, kneeling down, he cried out with a strong voice: “Jehovah, do not charge this sin against them.” And after saying this, he fell asleep in death.
(John 5:25-29) 25“Most truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have paid attention will live. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to do judging, because he is the Son of man. 28Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
(2 Corinthians 5:6-10) 6So we are always of good courage and know that while we have our home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, 7for we are walking by faith, not by sight. 8But we are of good courage and would prefer to be absent from the body and to make our home with the Lord. 9So whether at home with him or absent from him, we make it our aim to be acceptable to him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of the Christ, so that each one may be repaid according to the things he has practiced while in the body, whether good or bad.
(Isaiah 2:2-4) 2In the final part of the days, The mountain of the house of Jehovah Will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, And it will be raised up above the hills, And to it all the nations will stream. 3And many peoples will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, To the house of the God of Jacob. He will instruct us about his ways, And we will walk in his paths.” For law will go out of Zion, And the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. 4He will render judgment among the nations And set matters straight respecting many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Nor will they learn war anymore.
(Matthew 5:5) 5“Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the earth
.(Psalm 37:27-29) 27Turn away from bad and do what is good, And you will remain forever. 28For Jehovah loves justice, And he will not abandon his loyal ones. ע [Ayin] They will always be guarded; But the descendants of the wicked will be done away with. 29The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.
(Revelation 2:6, 7) 7Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
(Matthew 6:19-24) 19“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. 20Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22“The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. 23But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is! 24“No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches..
(Matthew 7:13, 14) 13“Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.
(2 Thessalonians 1:6-12) 6This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. 7But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels 8in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. 9These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 10at the time when he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder among all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you. 11To that very end we always pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling and with his power perform completely all the good that he pleases and every work of faith. 12This is so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in union with him, according to the undeserved kindness of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..
(Matthew 6:33, 34) 33“Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.
(Philippians 4:4-9) 4Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice! 5Let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; 7and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things. 9The things that you learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these, and the God of peace will be with you.
(2 Peter 3:8-13) 8However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. 10But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed. 11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! 13But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.
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