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As responsible human souls, we find ourselves exposed to two dangers, and we have two sources of refuge and strength of a very similar character.

I. TWO TEMPTATIONS.

1. To be unduly affected by the fear of man's displeasure. "The fear of man," etc. Now, the fear of man:

(1) May be dutiful. It is the duty of children to have a reverential regard for their parents, and to shun most carefully their disapproval. There is a "fear" appropriate to servants (Ephesians 6:5). We should fear to dissatisfy those who have a right to our faithful service.

(2) May be desirable. We should, as wise co-workers with God, fear to do that which, instead of conciliating, will disaffect those whom we want to win to righteousness and wisdom. But the tear of which Solomon writes

(3) is dishonourable and dangerous. It is a fear which is born of cowardice, a slavish disinclination to encounter the anger or the opposition of those who are in the wrong. It is an undue concern about the action of those who may claim a right, but who cannot sustain it, to keep us back from duty or to compel us to some unworthiness. By this unmanly and unholy fear we may be

(1) prevented from entering the kingdom or the Church of Christ;

(2) deterred from speaking his truth with fulness and faithfulness;

(3) hindered from bearing the testimony we should otherwise offer against some evil course;

(4) led into actual and even active fellowship with wrong, Then, indeed, our fear is "a snare," and it betrays us into sin.

2. To be unduly impelled by a desire for man's favour. "Many seek the ruler's favour." There is, of course, nothing wrong in seeking the interest of the powerful. It is simple wisdom, on the part of those who are struggling and rising, to do that. But it may easily be and often is overdone. Our Lord used very decisive language on this subject (John 5:44). When

(1) the desire is excessive;

(2) language is used or action is taken which is untruthful or dishonest, or which makes a man fall in his own regard;

(3) there is so much solicitude that a man loses self-reliance as well as self-respect, and forgets the help which is to be had from above; - then "seeking the ruler's favour" is a mistake, and even more and worse than that.

II. TWO SOURCES OF STRENGTH.

1. A sense of Divine approval. "Every man's judgment eometh from the Lord." Why be troubled about man's condemnation so long as we have his acquittal? Let Judas complain, if Jesus excuses and commends (John 12:1-8). Let the critics pass their sentence; it is a small thing to a man who is living under an abiding sense that "he that judgeth him is the Lord" (1 Corinthians 4:3, 4; Romans 2:29).

"Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not; The Master praises; - what are men?" And it is not only the present judgment and acceptance of God to which we have recourse, but his future judgment also, and the commendation he will pass upon our fidelity (see Romans 14:10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

2. A hope of Divine succour. "Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." Again and again, in the Old and New Testaments, by psalmists and prophets and apostles, as well as by our Lord himself, we are invited and exhorted to "put our trust in the Lord;" and we are assured that, so doing, we shall not be ashamed. If God does not deliver us from our enemies, and from the trouble riley occasion us, he will certainly deliver us in our adversity; he will give us strength to endure, grace to submit, courage to bear and brave the worst, sanctity of spirit as the result; he will turn the well of our affliction into a fountain of spritual blessing. - C.

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Parallel Verses

KJV: The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

WEB: The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.