THE BEST ANTIDOTE FOR FEAR--PROVERBS 29:25

THE BEST ANTIDOTE FOR FEAR

PROVERBS 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

Introduction:

Fear is a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger, imagined or real; or may be a state or condition marked by this feeling: living in fear.

Fear of God is extreme reverence or awe. We will look at these types of fear and what they cause in the life of a believer and unbeliever.

I. THE FEAR OF MAN

A. The fear of man brings a snare, a trapping device, something those serves to entangle the unwary.

1. Fear of man is a lack of trust in the Lord, Ps. 29:25b, “but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

2. Fear of man shows lack of knowledge of the Word of God, Prov. 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:”

3. The heathen do not choose knowledge, Prov. 1:29, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:”

B. The fear of man often causes man to follow after other gods, Exodus 34:12, “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:”

1. Man will make an agreement with the lost if he fears him. But God can show them who they really are, Ps. 9:20, “Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men.”

2. The fears of the believer will move him farther away from the things of God until he lives a an unsaved person.

II. THE FEAR OF GOD

A. The Fear of God is reverence or awe, Ps. 2:11, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

B. The Fear of the Lord is based on knowledge and wisdom, Prov. 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding”

C. The Fear of the Lord brings courage, Heb. 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

D. The Fear of the Lord brings trust and happiness, Psalms 37:3-4, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4-Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

III. THE FAILURE OF MAN TO FEAR

A. This brings judgment and death, Matt. 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

B. Man already stands condemned, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

C. Trust Jesus Christ as Savior, Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

CONCLUSION

Fear of man brings a snare. It will foul you up! Trust the Lord Jesus Christ and that will bring you LIFE! Don’t hide in the corner of life afraid to state your position. Believe today before it is too late.