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Fear of Man

We can overcome both modesty and fear.

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

   - Psalm 71.14, 15

Yet I shall not tremble, nor in God’s cause shall I fear the tongues of men, who lie more often than they speak the truth, while we must rather overcome modesty than submit to cowardice, when need compels.

  - Columbanus, Letter to Pope Boniface, Irish, 7th century[1]

The fear of men is perhaps the greatest obstacle to Christian conversation and effective witness. It is certainly the greatest threat to the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.

We are afraid others will think less of us, or even act with hostility toward us, if the name of Christ or the things of God are too often on our tongues. We even fear our fellow Christians – that they’ll think we’re acting too spiritual or putting ourselves above them somehow if we want to talk about the Lord, share from our experience of Him, or reflect on the way His Truth should be applied in our lives and times.

So we adopt a kind of spiritual modesty – not wanting to appear showy – rather than promote sound and edifying Christian conversation.

But it isn’t modesty that leads us to hesitate because of what unbelievers might think of us, or what they might say. It’s just the raw, unadulterated fear of men that keeps us from a more active and effective witness with our lost neighbors, friends, or associates.

The way to overcome the fear of men is, first, to seek the Lord’s help and perspective; second, to train our tongues for witness through Christian conversation with other believers; and, finally, to earn the right to share our beliefs with those around us through friendship and service. If, as we are learning to talk casually and confidently about the things of the Lord, we show ourselves friendly and look for ways to care about and help the people we see each day, they’ll be open to hearing about our faith in Jesus.

Let us seek the Lord to overcome both modesty and fear, that faithful witness might flow from our lips.

Psalm 124.1-3, 8 (Neumark: “If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee”)
If You had not been with us, Jesus –
Let all who love You say with pride –
When foes rose up to fright and seize us,
They would have swallowed us alive!
   Our help is in Your Name, O Lord,
   Who made creation by Your Word.

Lord, let me fear none of the things which men fear, that I may fulfill my witness for King Jesus! Adapted from Patrick, Confession

T. M. Moore, Principal
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Unsure about the Gospel, or how to share it with someone? T. M.'s booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom, can help. Here is a concise study of the Good News of Jesus' victory and reign. Order several copies from our online store, and invite your friends to study with you. Thanks for your prayers and gifts for our ministry. You can contribute to The Fellowship's growing work by using the donate button here, or at the website, or by sending your contribution to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 43135 Rudy Terrace, Leesburg, VA 20176.


 

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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