The fear of man brings a snare.
~ Proverbs 29:25
It is terrible to observe the power which it [other people’s opinions] has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide: what others think is right, they think is right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too. There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep — they follow a leader. If it was the fashion of the day to be Roman Catholics, they would be Roman Catholics; if it was to be Islamic, they would be Islamic. They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God.
JC Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, 35-38
The thought of What will my friends say or think of me? nips many a good intention in the bud. The fear of being looked at, laughed at, and ridiculed prevents many a good habit from being taken up… Oh what wretched slavery this is, and yet how common! I feared the people and consented unto their voice, Saul said to Samuel, and so he transgressed the commandment of the LORD. (1 Samuel 15:24) …. Learn to say no! Do not let the fear of not seeming to be good-natured make you unable to do it. When sinners entice you, be able to say decidedly, I will not consent. (Proverbs 1:10)
Consider how unreasonable this fear of man is. How short-lived is man’s hostility and how little harm he can do you! Who art thou that thou should be afraid of man that is mortal and of the son of man which shall be counted as stubble? And thou has already forgotten the LORD thy Maker that has stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. (Isaiah 51:12-13)…
Try only to please God, and He will soon make others pleased with you. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7) Young men, be of good courage. Don’t worry about what the world says or thinks; you will not always be with the world. Can man save your soul? No. Will man be your judge in the great and dreadful day of judgment? No. Can man give you a good conscience in this live, a good hope in death, a good answer in the morning of resurrection? No! No! No! Man can do nothing of the sort. Then do not fear the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilinigs. For the moth shall eat them up like a gament, and the worm shall eat them like wool. (Isaiah 51:7-8)
