Read over the perfectly beautiful Proverbs-3:23-26. Do you know daily keeping from fear?

In contrast: " Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." (Prov.29: 25). This is our text. Study it carefully.

Readily, we discover the true antidote for fear --loving trust in our God. That is the one cure for this vast ailment of fear. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.," I John 4:18. The timid child, held in his father's arms, goes peacefully right through bully lane.

Trust in the Lord overcomes our great fears.

I.  DREAD OF MAN

Our text is so right in warning that "Fear of man will prove to be a snare."  Peace and even purity of heart is ruined.  There is no singleness of mind toward God.  There is ever the side glance toward man, begging approval or dreading disapproval.  Daily examples of fear's many victims are everywhere to be seen:

1. That person who with jerky feverishness must qualify his every statement. How often he says, "I mean…" or "That is…" Even in insignificant conversation, he cannot make a simple statement once and let it rest. He might be misunderstood or thought imperfect.
2. That form of artificial humility, creeping mousiness, a self-conscious falseness. Fear is behind this mask.
3. The one who seeks flattery, perhaps "sounding his own trumpet," is likely troubled by too much regard for other's opinions. He who drinks greedily the praise of men will constantly dread the wrath of man.
4. Grade school children often live in agonizing terror of playground toughies. Parents need to be tender and kind in showing them the way of God's happy deliverance from their torment. This is a very real problem.
5. The high schooler vainly striving for popularity. Longing, longing to make an impression. Dreading being left out, passed by.
6. Businessmen kowtowing to superiors. Respect is one thing; gnawing anxiety is another! Feelings of inferiority on the job hound many a man right out of happiness.
7. That one who borrows money, getting himself pinned into a pitiful, begging corner. What! A Christian, a child of God, blushing, explaining, pleading with another man! "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36. "Let no debt remain outstanding," Romans. 13:8.

Boiled down, the fear of man is nothing other than deifying other men. We dread others when we fail to see their common roots in a sinful race, and we fail to keep in full view God, the Almighty King. God commands us to be equal in our view of men, " Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone," Deuteronomy l:17.

Now, it should be clear to each of us that the real trouble-source is within, not in the circumstances and others we so often react to. Some are too responsive, weak, over-pliable. Some are too reflective of others' opinions. Many are dependent, without individuality, or simply lazy. Others are reactive, suspicious, or act very independent. However, it is, it may be concluded that many of these are living in dread of other men.

Such a one cannot say, "Christ lives in me." Now, turn to Psalm 119:161, "Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.." There is the solution. (Just as our-text, Proverbs 29:25 also teaches.) When we fear God in the right way, men and the world get back into perspective. Ah, it is true, "The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble." Proverbs 19:23.

II. DREAD OF GOD

Dreading God is another matter. Actually, the fear and anxiety over sickness and death really arises from a wrong view of God. Love fails and there enters fear, which has torment. Even loneliness may be traced back to a faulty trust-relationship with God, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ⁶ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5,6.

Many speak chummily of God but are wound tight with dread of Him. Their hearts are sick with sin, burdened with guilt. Nights are long. Perhaps as many as 25 million sleeping pills are consumed every night by troubled Americans.

You cannot trust one you dread. Imagine, looking back over the shoulder - dreading the approach of our FRIEND as if He were our enemy! What made us this way? Oh, to be relaxed with God!

Before we close, let’s get a right view of the fear of the Lord. We should fear Him, but not dread Him. “To fear the Lord is to hate evil,” Proverbs 8:13. Here is the secret: Men must either fear rightly or dread God. Sin turns proper fear into improper dread. The sin may be secret, but it will be deadly.

Hear it! God invites you, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

Jesus shed His blood that you might be forgiven and have God as your Father. Honor, glorify, and above all, trust your Father. Then you will be free from fear.