"The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected." Proverbs 29:25 (CSB)
We hide things from others. We act like we know things we don't. We try hard to cover our inadequacies. We spend money we don't have. We refuse to apologize or admit wrongdoing or mistakes. The list can continue, but the one thing all these items (and those that could potentially follow) share is that they are self-destructive. Why? Why do we continue to engage in self-destructive behavior?
We are sinful people. We were born in it and apart from God's grace we will die in it. Part of this sin that is our nature from birth is to substitute healthy fear of God with the unhealthy fear of man. Instead of resting in God, we trust in ourselves and our own efforts and wisdom to secure our aims. Instead of finding our security in The LORD, we believe the lie that our true stronghold lies in the perception others have of us. Instead of trusting God to be our Provider and Sustainer, we see others as threats to our well-being, or holding the power to destroy our presently held security. Whether it is regarding their perception of us, their words about us, or what they can do to us - We fear others. This, Scripture says, is a trap. It's the bait that hides the barbed hook. It's the lure that promises security until it clamps shut on our necks. It's even the very trap itself. Fear of man is a snare through and through. By it we are ensnared and become further ensnared as we continually make self-destructive choices that require of us more self-destructive choices.
There is a way of escape - Trusting in The LORD. Jesus is the living, breathing, resurrected assurance that God will see His children through. We are assured that He will withhold from us no good thing, and that He will work all things to our utmost good. (Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:28) When we are at rest in The LORD we are protected. The word used has the connotation of inaccessible. We aren't in any danger of being ensnared as we are untouchable. The God who brought His people out of Egyptian slavery, fed them in the wilderness, toppled cities without His people suffering a single casualty or being within danger's reach. This is the God in whom we are to rest. "Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6 CSB)
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