“Fear of man is a snare.
Whoever trusts in God is safe.”
I’ve been thinking on this verse a lot lately, and getting a lot of benefit applying it all over in my daily life.
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Fear of man includes many things besides concern for our safety.
Fear of how someone could harm me physically.
Fear of how someone could hurt me emotionally.
Fear of my status among internet contacts.
Thinking about what someone said to me.
Thinking about what someone said about me.
Thinking of what others might think about me.
Thinking of what someone might say about me.
Thinking of what I could say when I see someone.
Thinking of what others think of my performance.
Thinking of others (positively) can produce caring for others.
Thinking about others (negatively) can produce anxiety—fear of what might be.
Just as fear drives insurance, fear can drive thoughts in relationships.
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A snare
A snare is a trap that can hurt and kill.
A snare can consume time and energy.
A snare can steal from things that make life worth living.
A snare can keep us focused on less-important and worthless matters.
A snare can produce imaginary traps as harmful as real ones.
A snare can be set by people, intentionally to hurt us—with more waste if we dwell on that.
A snare can be set unintentionally, just because this world is evil and full of land mines.
A snare—scary—fear of man—who can you trust ?
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Whoever trusts in God is safe.
Notice when worthless thoughts come to mind anytime.
Pick a Bible verse to replace the thought every time.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
“Fear of man is a snare. Whoever trusts in God is safe.”
Get rid of the source of fear and snare.
“The thief (satan) comes to kill, steal, and destroy . . .”
Get close to the source of trust and safety.
“. . . I (Jesus) come to give you life, more abundantly.”
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We have defensive weapons of faith and truth and salvation to protect us from the devil’s attacks, and we have offensive weapons of The Word of God and prayer to cancel the devil’s devices.
USE THEM !
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
“Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
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