Proverbs 29 25:The fear of man

"The fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."

Proverbs 29:25

In a Charles Spurgeon sermon titled Two Ancient Proverbs, he talked about Proverbs 29 25 and mentioned a very striking perspective: "The fear of man brings a snare" could have been logically and wisely, followed by "but the fear of the Lord is...". It definitely sounds like a good proverb in this way. Yet, the writer, inspired with wisdom from God, continues from the first half into: "But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe".

That the antidote to the Fear of man is one's Trust in the Lord, is great comfort and encouragement to the believer. The proverb does not dismiss your fear, nor does it instruct you to "stop" fearing, instead, the writer introduces a third person into the equation: but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

What is the Fear of Man?

The Fear of Man read literally, means being afraid of men, being in terror, being subjected to the opinion of others. The latter may not seem to be a fear of men, but friends, take some time to consider, is that not fear? To be worried and anxious about what someone thinks of you. To be nervous about offending someone. To be afraid of being seen a certain way by someone else. It does seem like fear to me.

The wisdom of God says that this fear of man brings a snare. And surely we have all experienced it time and time again. We can see this in the men of the bible. When Aaron made the golden calf and led the people astray from God, he did it at the cries of the people. When David, in meeting the king of Philistines, feigned madness and drooled on the ground in order to save his own life. When Peter stood at the fireplace with others, and made his famous threefold denial of his own beloved master. Indeed, the fear of man has brought many a great man to his knees, in defeat.

Whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe

Many may read the proverb as an instruction, that we should trust in the Lord, and we shall be safe from the snares of the fear of man. But the rest of the bible tells us another story.

Peter, after his denial, runs away in shame. His faith however, did not waver. Just as Jesus had prayed for him when He prophesied Peter's failure. This trust in the Lord, came before, through, and after the snare. And this trust in the Lord, saw Peter speak at the Pentecost and lead 3000 people to believe in Christ.

David, barely escaped with his life from his enemies, but this trust in the Lord persisted, even while more distressed and depressed came to him in the caves of Adullam. In his weakness, the masses drew near to the sad king and became David's mighty men. This trust in the Lord, saw David become the greatest king that ever ruled Israel.

Finally, we come to Aaron, the first High priest ordained by God. The first man, not counting the eternal High Priest Jesus who was in the beginning. He led the whole of Israel to the brink of damnation with a golden calf, yet, it is him, that the Lord has ordained to represent the people in the Holy of Holies. This trust in the Lord saw him set the stage for generations of Priesthood, which prepared the revelation of the True and Only High Priest that could represent us, Christ Jesus. And yet, Aaron's trust in the Lord was not a replacement of the fear of man, it was the catalyst of his salvation.

Beloved, let the meaning of Proverbs 29 25 sink deep into your hearts, not as an instruction, but an encouragement. That the snares of the fear of man shall not touch you, for your trust in the Lord shall keep you safe. I pray that we will be rid of the fear of man forever, however, even if that may not be so for now, and snares are brought in to your life: he that trusts in the Lord shall be safe.