41 | No Fear, Know Fear

2 Samuel 14:1-15:12 | No Fear, Know Fear

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Slides:

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

The fear of man is both physical and emotional. It is the fear of what men may do to us or that they may not approve of us.

1 Peter 3:14-16

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always [being] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

Two common characteristics of walking in the fear of man:

Passivity 

Control 

The Proverbs on the fear of God:

- Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…

- Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.

- Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

How do we repent of the fear of man and grow in the fear of God?

“All experiences of the fear of man, share at least one common feature: people are big. They have grown to idolatrous proportions in our lives. They control us…whenever people are big, God is not. Therefore, the first task in escaping the snare of the fear of man is to know that God is awesome and glorious, not other people” (Ed Welch)

Psalm 139:7-8, 16-18, 23-24

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. ... 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained [for me,] When as yet there was not one of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. ... 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.