Afraid of what others think

The Holy Scriptures command us to fear God.

• Proverbs 1:7 HCSB The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Many people today will balk at that concept, preferring to think of God as completely safe. However, fearing the Lord (who can either cast you into eternal fire or resurrect you to eternal life) will drive out one’s fear of others.

• Matthew 10:28 HCSB Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

When we have committed our lives to the Kingship of the Master, we are freed of our fears of the world. We shouldn’t later give in to those very fears from which we have been liberated.

• Galatians 5:1 Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.

When we work, we should always do our best – but not out of fear of what others will think. Everything we do should be motivated by a love of and fear of the Lord.

• Galatians 6:4 But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.
• Ecclesiastes 9:10 HCSB Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
• Colossians 3:22-25 HCSB Slaves, obey your human masters in everything; don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. (23) Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, (24) knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord--you serve the Lord Christ. (25) For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Not fearing men doesn’t mean that we don’t take their feelings or needs into account. We do what is right for others – not because we fear them but because we love them.

• 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 33 HCSB "Everything is permissible," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up. (24) No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person… (31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory. (32) Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, (33) just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

We don’t let peer pressure push us to do something wrong.

• Exodus 23:2 HCSB "You must not follow a crowd in wrongdoing. Do not testify in a lawsuit and go along with a crowd to pervert justice.