Healthy Fear The Disease to Please Part 3

Healthy Fear

F – Falleness We are fallen creatures before a holy, majestic God E – A – R –

F – Falleness E – Exaltation A – R – God is appreciated for his glory

F – Falleness E – Exaltation A – Awe R – A deep and profound wonder in the presence of God

F – Falleness E – Exaltation A – Awe R – Reverence In response we honor God with humble obedience

“The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20

“fear of man ”

What is the fear of man? Excessive concern about what others think about us which leads to a preoccupation for acceptance, approval, popularity, etc.

Fear of rejection Desire for approval

“Fear of man is such a part of our human fabric that we should check for a pulse if we deny it.” Ed Welch

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare…

“The Disease to Please”

We fear people because: 1.they can expose and humiliate us 2.they can reject, ridicule and despise us 3.they can threaten us 1.they can expose and humiliate us 2.they can reject, ridicule and despise us 3.they can threaten us

Instead of doing what we do out of: love = a + motivation, We do what we do out of: fear = a – motivation.

Fear Is Joyless

How is Fear a Snare?

Fear is connected to our fallenness

We replace God with people

1. We desire the approval of men above the approval of God

John 12:42,43 Many even among the Jewish leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Matthew 5:1 Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

We spend much of our lives wavering between inferiority and arrogance.

2. We fear the displeasure of man more than the displeasure of God

Jeremiah 1:17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.

Joshua 1:6-9 "Be strong and courageous!”

Isaiah 51:12 “ I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die…”

Responsible Respectable Resentful Responsible Respectable Resentful

God has to increase while people decrease

We fear man too much whenever we fear God too little.

Galatians 6:9,10 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Galatians 6:9,10 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.

3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

People Pleaser vs. God Pleaser How can I make him love me? How can I show the love of God to him? What will others think if I do this? What does God think if I do this? How can I be safe? How can God use me?

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

2 Peter 2:19 …for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him What we fear controls us.

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Psalm 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You … In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Grow in a healthy love of God!