Do we fear man more than God? Fearing people causes us to do many things that we otherwise would not, and should not do. For example, if our fear of man is greater than our fear of God we probably won’t say what needs to be said in a sinful situation. We are afraid of man’s rejection and retaliation. Sometimes parents fall into the trap of fearing a child’s rejection and therefore don’t discipline Scripturally – thus, children are big and God is small. Or, we won’t speak up at work when somebody says something offensive – thus, coworkers are big and God is small. Or, we will not turn the channel when sin is portrayed as glorious and inconsequential – thus, our lust is big and God is small. Or, we won’t speak up against what is pushed as “politically correct” but sinful – thus, public opinion is big and God is small.

Our culture is trying to diminish God in the eyes of everyone and will only succeed if we allow it. In the big picture culture has succeeded in culture, but the danger I see is that the greatness of God is now being sacrificed in the church! God is either being preached as a God who is great in His love, but is limited in His power; or He is being portrayed as an angry God who is out to get us sinners and has no capacity for love and grace so we better do something to make Him happy. Either way He is a small God and people are big.

When we fear man over God it is a matter of us seeing God as small and man as being big. God is a Grand Canyon God who is bigger than all and mightier than all. He is beyond our comprehension, but He can still be known because He came down to our level to be known. It is simply amazing what God can accomplish through believers who have a big view of who He is and a small view of who people are. We see a clear example of this when Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin and said,

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

Let me end with the encouraging words of Moses and Yahweh,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Moses in Deuteronomy 31:8)

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…” (Yahweh to Joshua 1:5-6 [cf. vv. 9, 18])

Grace & Peace,