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Friday, January 29, 2010

The Fear Man or The Fear God

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

What scares you more, to be embarrassed in front of other people, or to disobey God?

To displease others, or to displease God?

Will I live in fear of people, or in proper fear of God?

Which is more important to me?

This verse - one often used by biblical counselors to challenge people to consider the questions above - is a good reminder that we should be far more concerned with how God perceives us than what other people think of us. We should be most concerned with living to please God rather than living to please other people

When we do the first , the second will take care of itself

Wisdom Project - 29

BH

Note Proverbs class students: Read and listen to today's chapter by following the link in the column to the right >>>

16 comments:

Jilli Bair said...

The theme in this chapter that stuck out to me was the idea of reproof. In verse 1 he states, "He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing." In verse 15: "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother." Again in verse 17: "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight in your heart."
A major part in acquiring wisdom is the willingness to be reproved and learn from your mistakes. If I am not willing to take constructive criticism and change my faults, I will not learn true, Biblical wisdom. Humility and the desire for improvement are vital in the pursuit of wisdom.

Jim Morrison said...

In verse 22 I am reminded that I need to keep control of my temper so as not to allow it to cause me to sin. Prior to being saved my temper was something that I would struggle with, and to a lesser degree still do from time to time. I have had to learn to allow God to quite my temper. This verse helps remind me where God has brought me from.

Unknown said...

Verse 20 says "Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." I very, very often forget to think before I speak and lots of things come out of my mouth, but usually they're things that get me in trouble, which are then funny to my friends. =) This verse coupled with Proverbs 10:19 "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise." is something I struggle with daily and must make a conscience effort to correct.

Tim K. said...

15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

These are two verses that as a parent I need to be reminded of. My 15 year old is curently grounded. It is easier and more peaceful to let children do what ever they want, but these verses remind us that there will be consequences in the future for not dealing with the problems of obedience today. As a parent of 3 I am reminded by GOD's example that when I discipline my children I am not seeking to get even with them, but to bring them to repentance. If they are able to recognize their disobedience to their earthly father, repent and have our loving relationship retored I believe I am preparing them to do the same with their father in heaven.

Unknown said...

Taking this verse (v25) and applying it at times is “easier said than done.” However, Bill’s follow-up of “when we do the first, the second will take care of itself” helps with the perspective and consistent application. It is so easy to allow peer pressure (at most age levels) to dictate. With the authority of Scripture and the working power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability and opportunity to set the standard by which we act, speak, live. This heavenly attitude will establish a different type of “peer pressure”. Those within our sphere of influence will want what we have – a life centered on the LORD Jesus Christ.
Mike T.

Unknown said...

I was really challenged by verse 6 in this chapter. It says, "An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad." This verse really brings the truth out of wisdom and folly. I love the picture of sin snaring a man. Rarely do we talk about the bondage sin has in someone's life, especially our own. The literal Hebrew meaning for snare is "noose," and I cannot help but think of death. A noose was used to trap an animal, which would be killed shortly after, or a person being hung. On the other hand, wise righteous decisions can free a man's conscience and guilt, which will allow him to live with joy. I am beginning to see that my choices will always produce a result. A person truly does reap what they sow, and this verse brings that truth to life.

Carrie L. said...

There were two verses that popped out to me. 11 A fool gives full vent of his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. 20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more for a fool than for him.
Wow, how many times do we forget to be slow to anger and to think before we speak? This was a reminder to me that I need to think things through before I act and speak. Once the action or word is out of our mouth we can't take it back. I need to make sure that my words edify others and build them up not tear them down.

Chris Howard said...

Verse 10 says, “Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.” Yesterday I watched the movie “To Save A Life” and I have to say it was a wake up call to me. I am blown away by how true this verse is and how quick it can happen. In the movie we have the most popular guy is school who turns to God and begins to build a life of integrity and the “friends” he had turn against him, why? They are lost and seek to kill the upright. This chapter in Proverbs explains to up why it is so hard to live a Christian life in school today. Teens are so caught up in what others think of them. They want to be accepted and no different than anyone else. But in this chapter we see that a wise man chooses to be accepted by God and finds a greater security in Him than in man. What a great Proverb for our teens and for us to read each day!

Nate said...

Something that is blowing my mind is the extreme consequences on both the wisdom side and the foolish side of this proverb. To be wise is to be fairly safe for the rest of life. To be foolish is complete and utter destruction in the future. Obviously the consequences might not come right away but they will come. Also verse 25 talked about how the fear of man is a snare (trap) but to trust in God is safety. How often do I go through the day wondering what someone may be thinking about me. Even if it has nothing to do with spiritual things but is far as my status goes. Why does my standing in peoples mind matter to me when I can fear a God who is EVERYTHING! I just trap myself in pride when I worry about myself. Instead I can be completely humble and trust in God. Then I have no reason to fear mankind!

Unknown said...

Proverbs 29:20
"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
- This particular verse shows us the importance of our speech. If I truly want to become a wise and righteous man, I need to learn how to not talk just to talk, but rather think through what I desire to say before I speak. One that doesn't have such control is considered to be even less brilliant than a fool. I don't even know what exactly that is but I desire to stay far away from being like that.

ShawnaA said...

Verse 11" A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." This verse hit me hard this evening I think sometimes this is my down fall especially with my son, i have been trying to deal with him using self control and not out of anger.

Mandi said...

A couple verses really hit me hard in reading proverbs 29 tonight. I struggle with my anger and venting. When I am angry I tend to hold it all in until i explode so verse 11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,but a wise man keeps himself under control. this verse was a good reminder to me that i shouldn't vent when i am angry but have self-control. verse 22 An angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Reminds me that i need to have control of my anger so i am not sinning while being angry.

Unknown said...

A verse that really stuck with me today was verse 23: “A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.” It is a great reminder to have a humble spirit and attitude. It is also implied here that only those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Jessica said...

The verse that stuck out the most to me was vs. 25 "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." So often i find myself caught up in how other people view me. When I should just be focused on God and not other people

Unknown said...

There were three main themes from this Proverb that stood out to me. The first was anger, verses 11 and 22 gave me an example of what I should do when I am angry. I have been that fool many times in verse 11 that would give in to my anger and it would always turn out bad when instead I should have been quiet and holding back during the time of my anger because that is what the wise thing to do is. Verse 22 also was another verse that stood out to on anger. It was a reminder to me as well to stay in control of my anger. The next theme that I took from this Proverb was pride. Verse 23 reminded me that being prideful will only result in God breaking that pride and humbling me, when if I just can be humbled in the first place that is honorable to God. The last theme that stood out to me was also the heading to this blog for today. The contrast between The Fear of Man and The Fear of God. This is something that I struggle with often. I often worry so much about what others think instead of worry about what God thinks or what God says to be true. This is something that I have even been challenged this year about in some of my sit downs with Profs. I wish it wasn't so and I know this is something that I need to really spend time in the word and talking to God to ask to deliver me from.

Danyelle Steckiel said...

There are many things that stick out to me in this verse. The foolishness of man and wickedness and how it ultimately leads to death. But the one verse that stuck out to me the most was verse 6. "an evilm man is snared by his own sin" this is a smiple, yet important truth that we, as Christians, need to remember