Who do you fear more, God or man? Would God believe your answer? Every day, we all have opportunities to proclaim the name of Jesus, but how often do we seize the moment and do so? Why are we so hesitant to stand up for what we believe? I heard Paul Washer say, “If you have enough fear of God, you’ll have no fear of man.” The problem is we don’t fear God enough.
That’s not a popular statement. We want God to be all love and forgiveness. We’re comfortable with that God. While He is the essence of perfect love and divine forgiveness (1 John 4:8), God is also terrifying in His level of wrath and righteous jealousy (Hebrews 10:31, Exodus 34:14, Nahum 1:2,6). If we had the slightest idea of the power of God, we would be terrified to seek His presence.
I experience a mix of entertainment and disgust when I hear endless celebrity preachers (should that even be a thing?) say God entered the room and spoke with them. They talk about the encounter as if it’s no different from any casual meeting with an acquaintance. That’s not the God of the Bible. It is nothing like the God we worship. When Peter recognized the deity of Jesus, he fell on his face in fear for his life because he knew he was a sinful man (Luke 5:8). Isaiah was ruined when God spoke to Him (Isaiah 6:5). Balaam fell at the feet of an angel of God in utter fear and dread (Numbers 22:31). If God ever manifests Himself in your vicinity, you will not speak or move. His holiness is devastating (Revelation 1:17).
God’s Word tells us He cannot look on sin (Habakkuk 1:13). His holiness consumes any sin that comes near His presence (Hebrews 12:28-29). We are sinful beings who should tremble at the thought of ever approaching God (Psalm 99:1). But instead of fearing God, who do you fear? Other humans, those who are as powerless and sin-sick as you. Why? Jesus tells us not to fear those who can only kill this shell of a body housing our soul (Matthew 10:28). There is nothing that any person can do to us that will keep us from spending eternity with Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). All they can do is cause us to meet Him sooner. I’d call that a favor, not a threat!
Our fear of man impedes our ability to carry out the work God gives us to do (Galatians 1:10). We fear men more than God when we refuse to open our mouth, lend some kindness, or refuse to stand against the waves of our culture. Staying silent when people are trashing the authority of God’s Word proves who you fear more. Neglecting to serve God because you’d rather pursue your own interests is proof you don’t fear God enough. Who do you think you are to usurp the Lordship of the King (Isaiah 45:9)?
We have no idea the danger we are playing with by failing to fear God in the way He deserves (Proverbs 9:10). You will either fear Him in this life or spend all of eternity understanding how intense His wrath is (Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:16-17). When we live for the pleasures of this world and refuse to hold fast to Jesus and everything He commands, we are cementing our eternity without Him (Hebrews 10:26-27). It’s the worst decision you could ever make. So, who do you fear more? Do you fear disappointing those whose destiny is Hell, or bringing shame on the One who promises Heaven? If you don’t fear God enough now, someday you will. Don’t wait until it’s too late.