Seeking the Favor of Men, or of God? Part 1

 Honestly think about this question and consider what your daily life and decisions testify as true: 

       Do you care more about what the people around you think of you/expect of you OR what God knows to be true about you and what He is asking you to walk in obedience to?

      In 1 Samuel 15:24 Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.”

      Now whether this was an excuse for his disobedience or the actual cause, it highlights a truth: the fear of man often leads us into sin and keeps us from fully obeying the Lord’s commands. 

 Proverbs 29:25 AMP “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.”


Think about that.  The fear of man brings "a snare, a trap, bait.  The proper understanding of this Hebrew word is the lure or bait placed in a hunter's trap.... anything that lures one to ruin and disaster (Judges 2:3, Proverbs 29:25)."1

       Let us daily care about what He alone thinks and "let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1,2a)- laying aside the fear of man - "to please Him in all respects" (Col. 1:10) and "have as our ambition....to be pleasing to Him" (2 Cor. 5:9). 

    TODAY are you clinging to what God says about you? Today are you following hard after His plan for your life and His calling even though it may seem contrary to all the world is telling you and you find yourself up against opposition (even in your own thoughts)?


"For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.  For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Anointing One),..."  2 Cor. 10:3-5


      Are your eyes fixed on Him, longing to fully please Him and believe what He says? Or are you distracted by what others think, fearing their response and bowing to their opinions?  


Is there anyone you are fearing more than God?! 

 Bow to Him alone.


1 definition from The Complete WordStudy Dictionary OT