“The “Fear of Man” is anxiety arising from human criticism, peer alienation, embarrassment or rejection arising from the loss of human approval, acceptance and respect.”
Have you ever made decisions because you were afraid of what might happen to you? As Christians we often hear the encouragement to live boldly, or to trust God instead of fearing man. Prov 29:25 tells us that “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” The right fear of God inspires confidence and worship and combats the fear of man. This study will help us in looking at the fear of man, and how to combat it.
(A) Terror, Tossing, and Tears: Confess Your Fear of Man (Ps 56:1-3, 5-6)
Psalm 56 is a psalm of David. The circumstances surrounding David when he wrote the psalm is detailed in 1 Sam 19-21. In 1 Sam 19-21, he had been anointed king, but not yet crowned. Saul was still king. David had slain Goliath, been appointed Saul’s armour-bearer, slain some Philistines in battle, and married Saul’s daughter. Saul wanted to kill David out of jealousy. David’s a wanted fugitive, secretly on the run, after being warned by Jonathan, Saul’s son. David had fled alone, afraid of Saul, and yet, was spotted by one of Saul’s men, Doeg, an Edomite. David was fearful of Saul, and ran to the Philistines.
Thus, when David wrote this psalm, he was alone, and faced real danger. He had been an enemy of the Philistines and has been captured by the people whom he has been attacking. With this in mind, we can understand a bit more of his emotions while writing Psalm 56.
In Psalm 56, the enemy is described to be proud, oppressive, and attacked David cruelly. Their attacks are relentless, “all day long” (Ps 56:1, 2, 5). David also wrote, “many attack me proudly” (Ps 56:2b), implying that there is not just a singular attacker, but he faces threat from many people. His attackers are in positions of power — “trample on me”, “oppresses me”, “attack me proudly”. They are constantly watching for opportunities to attack David. It is intentional, premeditated, schemed, and planned (“they stir up strife”, “they lurk”, “they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life”).
The threat posed to David was real, significant, persistent, premeditated, oppressive. It was not small and insignificant. He was not just being emotional. As a result, the persistence of the threat also has a psychological effect on him. David experiences fear (Ps 56:3), anxiety (Ps 56:8a), sorrow (Ps 56:8b). He was anxious and worried (“you have kept count of my tossings”, Ps 56:8a). He kept thinking about it, and even when he slept it bothered him. David was also so worried and afraid, that he cried ( “put my tears in your bottle”, Ps 56:8b).
Through this psalm, we see how David articulated his fear, and this was repeated at multiple times too. David is afraid and did what is natural to protect himself. He fled for his own safety and equipped himself with provisions and a weapon.
How many of you find it odd that in a psalm titled “In God I trust”, that David is fearful and anxious? This David is the same David who had in the few chapters before, slayed Goliath, been anointed the new king of Israel by prophet Samuel, secured victory for Saul against the Philistines. David had experienced the deliverance of the Lord at multiple occasions, yet, this same great and mighty David is fearful of the men who are pursuing him and after his life!
What can we learn here from this Psalm about the fear of man? The threats David feels are not imaginary; they are very real and could endanger his life! These real threats also have a real impact on his emotions. It is natural to fear, and it is alright to confess our fears.
What we do not see David do in dealing with his fear is covering up his fear. We are to deal with our fear of Man by confessing it to God. To be clear, though the fear of man is real, it does not mean it helps us make good decisions – in David’s fear, he ran away to his enemies’ territory, despite God’s promises. The fear of man is a snare, and thwarts holy living. On the other hand, the Bible doesn’t tell us not to be equipped when faced with dangerous situations, nor does it call us to live recklessly. Jesus himself, at one time when he was sending out his disciples on a journey told them to bring a sword or two if they were able.
Do you experience fear or anxiety or worry? What do you fear? The Bible doesn’t say man up, suck it up, strong people don’t show fear. The Bible doesn’t shy away from showing us that as humans, we can fear. That Psalms like this exist goes to show us that God allows for us to confess our fears to him.
The Bible acknowledges the reality of your fear and your anxiety. In our day and age, most of us would not be facing fear of men due to threat to our lives or safety. Yet, the situations you are facing could involve real threat to your relationships, livelihoods, and careers. You may be going through real difficult times at work or in your personal life, amongst family or friends. Some of you may be facing real oppression, abuse at the workplace, or some odd politics that is going on. The Bible counsels us against the fear of men, but it does not discount the reality and difficulty of your experience. Yet the Bible does not leave us without hope and offers us an antidote to fear.
For us who may not currently be experiencing threat or fear. How do you counsel others who experience the fear of men? Do you tend to give short shrift to others’ fears and worries? Do you minimize their fear? Or do you overspiritualise, saying empty things like “just trust God” or “have faith” without actually pointing to who God is in the Bible?
If we are to better help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ lift their burdens and obey God, then we need to also acknowledge their emotional realities as we offer the truth and comfort of scripture to strengthen them.
(B) Fight Fear with Faith: Confess the God who knows you and is for you (Ps 56:4, 7-13)
David combats his fear of man by turning to God in trust. David’s response to his fear is to call out to God and to trust in God. It can be easy for us to say, “just trust God”. But what does that really mean? What does it entail? How does that help us with the fear of man? David knew who God is and we see it from various parts of the psalm. From David’s confession of God in Ps 56:4,10-11, he writes about a God who speaks and His word is praiseworthy. David first says, in God whose word I praise (Ps 56:4a). He is a God who is trustworthy and this is an innate quality, that doesn’t change with the circumstances.
In his second repetition, he adds “in the LORD”, as if to remind himself more fully of who God is (Ps 56:10b). God is Yahweh, the God who delivered his people from Egypt, who led his people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, who led his people 40 years in the desert and brought them to the promised land.
David also recognises that God is God, he is not man or flesh. He is above man and things of the flesh. Thus, he reminded himself of these truths and the reality that there is no need to be afraid (Ps 56:4b,10b) , for “what can flesh do to me?” (Ps 56:4c).
In Ps 56:8, David also speaks honestly about his tears. From his writings, we get a sense that this is a God that intimately knows David’s struggles and worries, and cares deeply and intimately for him. God is compassionate and close to our every trouble.
From Ps 56:7,9, we read of a God who sees and knows. He is just and will take vengeance on the wicked. David knows that God is for him. He is part of Israel, God’s chosen people. He is also God’s chosen king.
The fear of man was real but as he called to mind the promises of God, it helped David to combat His fear of man. David addressed his fear by confessing who God is – as God has revealed himself through his Word. Just as the fear of man caused David to panic and forget God’s promises and character, the reminder of who God is, his relationship to David and Israel, and his character helped David to address and combat his fear of man.
Learning to trust God is an important part of the Christian life, and it is key to combating the fear of man. In order for us to trust God, we have to know Him more and more. Would you trust a stranger? No! Would you trust someone with a good reputation? Maybe, probably! We can’t trust someone we don’t know. How much do you know about God? It may be easy for us to quote some characteristics of God – but is what you know about God accurate, based on the firm truth of who He is as He has revealed himself in the Bible?
At the end of the psalm, we see how David’s confession evokes confidence and worship (Ps 56:12-13). As David ends his reflection on God, His Word, and who God is, David responds to God in worship and says, “I must perform my vows to you, I will render thank offerings to you (Ps 56:12). His vows are binding and the thank offerings are optional. The point here is that David responds in worship, beyond what is obligatory and from his heart of gratitude. How does David worship amid his real trouble and oppression?
But, how does fearing God help us deal with the fear of man? In Matt 10:28-33, we hear Jesus’ own words to His disciples. There is a similar pattern in Jesus’ words to his disciples. We are to fear God instead of man because there is more than our mortal lives. We need to keep eternity in mind. God is sovereign over all life, including yours! Yet, there is also a tenderness. He is in control, and he knows even the hairs on our head. We are precious in God’s eyes.
There’s also a warning that Jesus gives. If we acknowledge Jesus before men, He will acknowledge us before God in heaven. If we deny Jesus before men, He will also deny us before God in heaven. Now, we are presented with a choice to fear man – dangerous, oppressive, but ultimately finite and limited in authority – or God who is far greater than man, infinite, eternal, and of the ultimate authority over our lives. What more, this very God cares for us and knows us intimately. He has shown His great love for us by sending us His Son and redeemed us to Him.
David also shows his confidence in God’s salvation (“for you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling”, Ps 56:13). Note that “have” – is past tense, though the deliverance has yet to come. It’s both about his current situation, and all that God has done for David in the past.
Confessing God should lead us to confidence and trust in Him. It should also lead us to worship and reverence, which in in other words is fearing God.
Do you suffer from anxiety, fear, or worry? What are you worried about, or what are you worried might happen? The antidote to the fear of man is the fear of God. Faith in God, trust in him, and the fear of God are all inter-linked. If we are to conquer the fear of man, we must dig into the Word to discover, or re-discover who God is.
How much do you know about God, as He has revealed about himself through the Bible? How can you equip yourself with the truth about God and who He is, so that you can see Him rightly and truly fear Him, instead of fearing man?
Consider the following:
Memorise Scripture – do it with someone else. Encourage someone else with the truth of Scripture, that you may remember it yourself.
Read and understand the big story of the Bible – this helps you to see and know what God has done throughout the ages for His people; both for Israel
Read the Bible regularly – you will be regularly reminded of who God is, of the precious Gospel you have received, the surety of your salvation. Think of it as regular booster shots, because as men we are prone to forget. Reading it regularly refreshes our minds!
Pray and journal – When you have yourself placed your trust in God, and seen his faithfulness in your life, all the more you will have confidence to call on Him in times of trouble.
Sing songs that rehearse the promises — Sing songs that help us call to mind the promises in His word! These songs will help remind us of who God is!
If you are a Christian, hear and know the sure salvation you have in God. In Jn 10:27-30, we are promised that no one can snatch us out of His hands. Rom 8:35-39 also assures us of the security that we have in Christ!
If you are not yet a believer, this is the God in whom Christians trust. Don’t just read about Him, but consider knowing Him too. If you’d like to find out more, talk to a Christian you know.
When you are afraid, what do you do? Hear the words in Ps 56:4, and put your trust in God whose word we praise.
In what ways do you struggle with the fear of man? How can we learn from David’s model of confessing our fears before God? How can you grow in your knowledge and confidence of God today, tomorrow, and in the rest of this year?