Fear of men

Mathew 21:23-27 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Ever been there with a burden at heart? Something you have to bring out and you are not doing it? Many times you know very well that you have to do it, but what is that number one hindrance to move in line with that burden? Fear of men. 

Fear of men for what they think, might say or do limits us. Jesus asked us not to fear one who might destroy the body, which are men. The scripture above depicts a similar scenario that the Chief priests and elders feared what men would do to them if they acknowledged that the baptism of John was from heaven. They feared what men would do to them, perhaps persecute, kill or despise their authority.

Whatever they feared was pre-conceived. It was not actual. They tried as much to please the people to stay in good books with them. That was similar to Saul who feared that the people would depart from him because prophet Samuel had delayed to come offer the sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:24.

Fears are self induced or are a result of the prejudices we have. Child of God, do not be limited by anything. If you have the opinion of God, that suffices. Charge forward with godly confidence and draw that burden out!

DK