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Fear of man brings a snare

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Fear of man brings a snare

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25, NKJV)

A snare is a trap or a lure. Snares are used by hunters to trap and catch animals such as antelopes, gazelles, buffaloes, etc. to provide meat for food. Poachers use snares to trap prized animals such as lions, leopards, tigers, etc., which are then killed to obtain their highly prized hides. Satan uses snares to lure or trap human beings and lead them into sin.

One of the traps used by Satan to trap Christians is the fear of man. When you are afraid of men, you always make choices or decisions that seek to please them. In other words, the fear of men makes you a men-pleaser instead of a God-pleaser.

In the world we live in today, the fear of men has led many believers to lead compromised lives. Many Christians have succumbed to peer pressure so as to ‘fit-in’ to the dictates of the society they live in.

It is widely acknowledged that mainstream media has played a significant role in influencing the kind of life most people lead. Specifically, social media has emerged as the top influencer of our lifestyle.

Whatever is ‘trending’ on social media in terms of fashion, ideologies, etcetera, is quickly adopted without question, and if you don’t ‘flow with the current’, you are considered ‘old school’ and unfit to live in the modern world. As a result, most individuals, Christians included, have succumbed to social media pressure right from home, at school, at the workplace, in church, etcetera.

The Bible instructs us to remain vigilant and steadfast in our belief because Satan, our enemy number one, is roaming around like a ‘roaring lion, seeking whom he will devour. We read this in 1 Peter 5:8–9, which says

“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

Therefore, as a believer, you should learn to resist and overcome whatever pressures are pushing you to compromise your faith so that, on the last day, you shall receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

In this article, we shall consider the following four Biblical examples that teach about fear of man and how it can ensnare us:

  • Abraham’s fear of King Abimelech
  • Isaac and king Abimelech
  • Jacob and his uncle Laban
  • King Saul and Prophet Samuel
  • Peter’s denial of Jesus

#1. Abraham’s fear of King Abimelech

In the book of Genesis 20, we read the story of Abraham and Abimelech, King of Gerar. The Bible tells us that a time came when Abraham dwelt in Gerar. According to the scriptures, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was very beautiful. Consequently, she made an agreement with Abraham to the effect that, wherever they went, she would say that she was his sister. This pact was made because Abraham feared that he would be killed on account of her.

After being told that Sarah was Abraham’s sister, King Abimelech sent for her with the intention of making her his wife. However, he did not have any sexual relations with her at that time.

Because of this action, God struck King Abimelech and his household with a sickness. In addition, God closed the wombs of all the maidservants in King Abimelech’s household.

Later, God appeared to the king in a dream and directed him to restore Sarah to Abraham because she was Abraham’s wife. The following morning, the king restored Sarah to Abraham. On top of that, he gave Abraham a thousand pieces of silver, oxen, sheep, and male and female servants.

Thereafter, the Bible tells us that Abraham prayed for the king and his household. As a result, God healed all of them and opened the wombs of the king’s maidservants, and they bore children.

The lesson we can learn from this passage is that because of Abraham’s fear of man, he brought judgment upon the household of King Abimelech. And had God not restrained King Abimelech, he would have committed adultery with Sarah. In addition, the king’s household was punished because of Abraham’s conduct.

#2. Isaac and king Abimelech

In the book of Genesis 26, we again see Isaac repeating the same thing that Abraham, his father, did. While they dwelt in the land of Gerar, the Philistine kingdom ruled by King Abimelech, Isaack was asked about Rebekah, his wife, by the men in that land, and again he told them that she was his sister. He did this because he was afraid that they would kill her because of Rebekah. We read this account in Genesis 26:6–11, which says

“So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, ‘She is my sister, for he was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife,’ because he thought, ‘lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.’ Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked through a window and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah, his wife. Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, ‘Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘she is my sister?’

‘Isaac said to him, ‘Because I said, ‘lest I die on account of her.’’’

And Abimelech said, ‘what is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us. So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, ‘He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.’’’”

#3. Jacob and his uncle Laban

In Genesis 31, we find the account of Jacob fleeing from his uncle Laban. It so happened that after serving Laban for twenty years, Jacob became very rich, so much so that Laban’s sons began to envy him. It was at this time that God appeared to Jacob and instructed him to return to the land of his father, Isaac.

Knowing that Laban would not release him that easily, Jacob decided to flee while Laban was away shearing his sheep. So Jacob fled together with his wives, his children, and all his possessions. When Laban heard that Jacob had fled, he went after him. However, that night, God appeared to Laban in a dream and warned him against inflicting any harm on Jacob.

Eventually, Laban caught up with Jacob, and what transpired between them is recorded in Genesis 31:26–31 as follows:

“And Laban said to Jacob: ‘what have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? Why did you flee away secretly, steal from me, and not tell me, for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?’

Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, ‘because I was afraid, for I said, ‘perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’’

With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you. For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.”

From this passage, we learn that it was fear that made Jacob flee from his uncle, thinking that he would never let him go back to his father’s house.

#4. King Saul and Prophet Samuel

In the book of 1 Samuel 13, we read about the error of King Saul of Israel that led to his rejection as king. It so happened that the Philistines were gathered together to fight against the armies of Israel. However, before the battle began, Prophet Samuel was expected to come and offer a burnt offering to God at Gilgal. However, Samuel delayed coming for seven days. Consequently, the men of Israel became very distressed and hid themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and pits.

On seeing that the people had scattered from him, King Saul became anxious and ran out of patience. He thus directed that the burnt offering and the peace offering be brought to him. He then went ahead and presented the burnt offering to God. No sooner had he finished presenting the offering than the Prophet Samuel appeared. Samuel was very angry with King Saul and there and then declared judgment upon him, to the effect that the kingdom had now departed from his house.

We read this in 1 Samuel 13:11–12, which says

“And Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul said, When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, The Philisitines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’’ Therefore, I felt compelled and offered a burnt offering.

And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD, your God, which He commanded you. For now, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.’”

#5. Peter’s denial of Jesus

In the New Testament, the story of Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus is another perfect example of what the fear of man can do. In all the three times that Peter was associated with Jesus by different people, he denied ever knowing Christ. We read this account in the book of Matthew 26:69–75 as follows:

“Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’

But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying.’

And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, ‘This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.’

But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the Man!’

And a little later, those who stood by came up and said to Peter, ‘Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.’

Then he began too curse and swear, saying, ‘I do not know the Man!’

Immediately, a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So he went out and wept bitterly.”

Conclusion

In this article, we have looked at the meaning of the Biblical verse, The fear of man brings a snare. From the examples highlighted, it is clear that the fear of man can lead us into sin, and we should thus strive to be bold and always stand our ground no matter the pressures we face to compromise our faith. God promises us the crown of life if we endure to the end. I leave you with this encouraging scripture found in Isaiah 51:7:8 that says:

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose hearts is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but My righteousness will be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.”

I hope the information was helpful. Thank you.

Related Post: Be strong and courageous bible verse

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Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/

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