March 20                                       Num 21 - 24

FEAR OF MAN

MEMORISE: ‘The fear of man bringeth a snare but whose putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.’ (Prov. 29: 25)
READ: John 3: 1- 5

‘The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whose putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe’ (Prov. 29: 25). Some people are afraid of what their friends will say when they know that they have given their lives to Jesus. This is a bane to holy living. Are you among those who cannot stand up for Christ? When you go to church, do you make sure you take a small pocket Bible you can conveniently hide away from the glare of your friends, to avoid being mocked?

‘Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God’ (John 12: 42- 43).

Are you highly placed and feel ashamed to be identified with Jesus? Do you care more about what your friends say of you than what Jesus says about you? Are you like Nicodemus – a secret disciple of Jesus? The time to serve God in hiding has passed. It is time that you openly identified with him and confessed him to your friends, so that he can be proud of you in heaven (Matt 10: 32-33).

Any friend who persistently discourages you from serving Christ is not a friend, but a tool in the hands of the devil. Jesus says: ‘Cut them off’. They are the eye and the hand that will cause you to sin. If you don’t deal with them, they will secure your berth in eternal hell. When you die, none of them will go to the grave with you. Be wise.

Some people in secret societies are afraid of leaving for fear of death. Some remain, because they do not want to break their agreement with hell. If you were in the occult but have now received Jesus as your Lord, you have nothing to fear. Jesus, your new Master, is above all. In fact Satan, their overall Chairman, has been defeated by Jesus. Right now, he is under Jesus’ feet.

And since you are seated together with Christ in heavenly places, as a child of God, they are also under your feet. They cannot harm you any more. Come out and stand up for Jesus. In him alone is true protection.

ACTION POINT
Ask God to set you and your family free from fear,
and to lead you to salvation.