1 Samuel 17:11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” – Oswald Chambers
Fear of man is a controlling and compelling torment. The Bible says that fear of man is a snare. It is a nasty circle and once we get trapped in this snare we will get caught in the vicious cycle of pleasing people. There is no deliverance to the fear of man unless we allow the Lord to change our thought patterns and perspectives. If we fear man we can never produce lasting eternal fruits.
The army of Israel was terrorized by a nine foot Philistine giant Goliath. The big bad bully terrified them with his defying defamation day after day for 40 days (vs 16). Israel was so far away from God that they had forgotten their promise that God would fight their battles. For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory’ (Deuteronomy 3:22). The war was with the words of the gigantic monster. Goliath barraged them with disparagement and drained their courage. Then came the teenager David and hurled back the fear of Israel with words of faith. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? (Vs 26b). David won the battle with his words before he flung a stone from his slingshot to kill Goliath. The simple tool to drive out the fear of man is the confession of our faith. Our words build faith or fear.
Combat the fear of man:
1. Compare: We fear man more than God because we compare ourselves with other people. When we compare ourselves with their strength, wisdom, achievements and look at their affluence and influence, we will be threatened. However, if we start comparing the might of our God with the muscle of man, we will not be menaced. Do not compare yourself with the intimidators but compare them with the might of God.
2. Cowardice: When malediction of man dominates our thoughts we will stoop down to compromise and will be imprisoned in cowardice. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear (vs 24). The promises of God overrule every curse, tout and magic. Be audacious in faith and overcome fear.
3. Combat: Fear of man must be fought with five stones as David did. The name of Jesus, the blood, the Word, praise and prayer. “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (vs 45). Stone no. 1 sank into the forehead of the giant and killed him. Combat the fear of man with the name of Jesus.
Don’t let the fear of man entangle you with fret.
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Prayer: Lord Almighty, I can win every battle with the five stones that David used to kill the giant. Make me a giant killer to bring down every menacing monster and slandering giant. Amen
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