A Dangerous Trap
“Scripture is clear: the only one we should fear is God.”
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.
Reflection
I am directionally challenged, so I heavily rely on my GPS to get me from place A to B. There are times the GPS will warn me of a speed trap up ahead. I respond to the warning by being cognizant of my speed and on guard for a potential police officer.
This verse is a warning. It is warning us of a particularly dangerous trap: fearing people. I will admit, when I was assigned this verse, I did not think of myself as one who fears people. I am comfortable declining social opportunities and walking at my own pace. However, as I allowed this verse to sink into my heart, I realized I do fear people. I care what people think of me. Why? I want to be liked and accepted. My fear is rejection.
I believe many of us fear rejection. Think about these scenarios below:
We engage in conversation that isn’t pleasing to the Lord because we don’t want people to think we’re uptight.
We allow our children to participate in activities that stretch the boundaries because we don’t want other parents to think we're too overbearing.
We don’t share Jesus with friends, family, or co-workers because we don’t want them to think we’re weird.
Can you relate? I sure can. Fearing people isn’t just a trap, it is a dangerous trap. Why? It has the potential of placing people over God in our heart. It has the potential of compromising our character, witness, and values as Christians.
Scripture is clear: the only one we should fear is God. God is the most powerful, the Almighty. He loves us. He saves us. He changes us. He accepts us.
Just like my response to a speed trap warning, let’s be cognizant of fearing man over God and be on guard for the traps. Fear rejection from man no more and continually seek to please the Lord!
Action Steps
Read Psalm 112:1 five times. Revert to this verse when you face temptation to fear people over God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Guide me to see the traps up ahead and strengthen me to avoid them. Help me to always honor You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.
Reflection
I am directionally challenged, so I heavily rely on my GPS to get me from place A to B. There are times the GPS will warn me of a speed trap up ahead. I respond to the warning by being cognizant of my speed and on guard for a potential police officer.
This verse is a warning. It is warning us of a particularly dangerous trap: fearing people. I will admit, when I was assigned this verse, I did not think of myself as one who fears people. I am comfortable declining social opportunities and walking at my own pace. However, as I allowed this verse to sink into my heart, I realized I do fear people. I care what people think of me. Why? I want to be liked and accepted. My fear is rejection.
I believe many of us fear rejection. Think about these scenarios below:
We engage in conversation that isn’t pleasing to the Lord because we don’t want people to think we’re uptight.
We allow our children to participate in activities that stretch the boundaries because we don’t want other parents to think we're too overbearing.
We don’t share Jesus with friends, family, or co-workers because we don’t want them to think we’re weird.
Can you relate? I sure can. Fearing people isn’t just a trap, it is a dangerous trap. Why? It has the potential of placing people over God in our heart. It has the potential of compromising our character, witness, and values as Christians.
Scripture is clear: the only one we should fear is God. God is the most powerful, the Almighty. He loves us. He saves us. He changes us. He accepts us.
Just like my response to a speed trap warning, let’s be cognizant of fearing man over God and be on guard for the traps. Fear rejection from man no more and continually seek to please the Lord!
Action Steps
Read Psalm 112:1 five times. Revert to this verse when you face temptation to fear people over God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Guide me to see the traps up ahead and strengthen me to avoid them. Help me to always honor You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One MissionWhere Your Treasure IsThe Antidote to AnxietyINVEST HEARTS AND FINANCES | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONReturn to MeActs 27: 39-44 | The Shipwreck | TCBSTreasures That LastThe Heaps of Hezekiah
March
The Good News We Cannot Keep Silent EVANGELISM | PASTOR MARY JOHNSONEncountering Jesus Changes EverythingLove Compels Us to ShareActs 28:1-6 | Paul Ashore on Malta | TCBSPlaced with PurposeYour Story, His GloryThe Upside-Down KingdomEvangelism | The BranchThe Death of the Kingdom of SelfActs 28: 7-10 | Ministry in Malta | TCBSServing as Worship THE DETHRONING OF SELF | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONNo Excuses, Only ObedienceThe Privilege of PartnershipDenying Self to Find LifeTHE STRENGTH OF SURRENDER | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONListening to the Spirit's VoiceThe Authority of God's WordActs 28: 11-16 | Paul's Arrival at Rome | TCBSSubmitting to One Another in LoveHonoring God-Ordained AuthorityThe Immigration Debate Christians Can't Avoid | The BranchCounting the Cost of SurrenderBuried with ChristBAPTISM | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONActs 28:17-22 | Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard | TCBSRaised to New LifeBaptized into One BodyFilled with the Holy SpiritThe Power of TogetherPersonal Devotion and the Power of GatheringJesus’ Secret to Strength
No Comments