Proverbs 29:25

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

The devil has silenced more Christians through the fear of man than through a million acts of persecution. If he can get us focused on pleasing people, we won’t have the time or courage to live for the Lord. But when we trust in God, we are kept from the enemy’s trap.

Solomon knew that one of the greatest threats his sons would face was the fear of man. He calls it a snare—a trap designed to bring a person into bondage and captivity. The enemy uses human influence to keep us quiet, afraid, and compromised. That’s why Solomon warns his sons not to fall for it. They had to remain on guard and consistently evaluate their hearts to ensure they were trusting in God, not men.

So—who are you living for? You can tell by how you make decisions. If your choices are centered on how others will perceive you or how it will affect your relationships with people, you may already be ensnared. For instance, if you choose to cover up someone’s sin to maintain peace, that’s walking in the fear of man. But trusting God means doing what’s right, even when it costs you something. Fearing God is about obedience, regardless of the consequences.  If you find yourself caught in the fear of man today, repent. Turn to the Lord, and trust Him with whatever is before you. He will never lead you into bondage—only into freedom.  Amen?

Father, thank You for always leading us toward freedom. You sent Your Son so we could be free from the snares of this life. Increase our trust in You, Lord. Help us to care more about pleasing You than anyone else. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.