> The Bible describes the fear off man in terms of a trap. The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Pro 29:25. When we fear man we are walking very close to not trusting the Lord. The fear of man and faith in God cannot coexist. The fear of man comes in different ways such as what others thinks of us, their opinions, and our desire for their approval, setting ourselves up as failures. The fear of man is an indication that we do not understand who we are as new creations in Jesus Christ. > > The following scriptures can help shed light on this: Luk 12:4-7, Deu 31:6, Heb 12:1 & 13:6, Gal 1:10, Jer 17:5-12, Joh 5:44 & 12:43. > > What is fear of the devil?Knowing that there is evil in the world, a fear of evil: Mat 10:16, 2 Co 2:11, and Luk 10:19. The devil can come in many ways and in many forms: Rom 12:9, 1 Th 5:22, Psa 23:4, and 1 Jn 4:18. As born again, Holy Spirit filled believers, we should never fear Satan as if we lack the power to overcome his efforts against us. In truth, we have all the power we need inside of us: Psa 23:4 & 149:6-9, Rom 12:9, 1 Th 5:22, Psa 97:10, Jas 4:7, Eph 6:11-12, and 2 Co 2:11. We have the power needed in the name of Jesus Christ to bind and lose, and to cast out devils. Note: Prior to this message I had sent a message on spiritual warfare. Act 19:13, Mat 10:1,8 & 12:37, Mar 16:17, and Luk 10:20. > > What is theFear ofthe Lord?In Pro 23:17 the Fear of the Lord is submission to God in humility and faith. The believer’s fear of the Lord is a reverent fear, a healthy fear: Pro 1:7 declares this as does Deu 10:12 & 20:21. It means to be in obedience to Him in the way we live. We respect Him, submit to Him, receive His discipline, and worship Him out of a love for Him. Also, Exodus 20:20, Jer 32:40, 2 Co 5:11, Psa 86:11, Rev 14:7 shed light on this. There are many verses pertaining to the FEAR OF THE LORD. > > Is our walk and our temple like God or like this world? Think very very deeply, and reflect on these things. Many will be blind sided and caught off guard in the coming days. Do not allow yourself to be blinded by a spirit of pride. The Fear of the Lord comes through humility, pride will prevent you from having it. > > Jesus is our example, and Isaiah prophesied about Him:Isa 11:1-3 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Andthe Spirit of the LORDshall rest upon him, theSpirit of wisdomandunderstanding, the Spirit ofcounselandmight, the Spirit ofknowledgeandthe fear of the LORD.And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.(ESV) > > These seven spirits of God are also mentioned in Rev 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6. > > 1 Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. > > We see an excellent example of the Fear of the Lord displayed by Joseph: > > Gen 39:7-9 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife.How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (ESV) > > Please take the time to look up, meditate on, and pray about these verses: Job 28:28, Psa 34:11, 111:10, Pro 1:7, 8:13, 10:27, 14:26-27, 15:16, 15:33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17, and Act 9:31. (ESV – other translations may be numbered slightly differently.) > > Blessings to all who may read, study, and share this.This isaNOWword for the church.Do not delay in meditating on this and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in all truth. > > Bette Stevens > > [www.vvmint.org](www.vvmint.org/)