Have you ever made a horrible judgment call or decision because you feared the outcome or the people you were around? Peer pressure can be heavy. I wish I could say that I have never given in, but I have. Occasionally, I still get upset with myself, allowing my fear to drive me into foolish behavior. God help us all in this. Remember, we have nothing we should fear in this life, not even death itself (See Romans 8:35-39). Why? Because the King and creator of all creation profoundly loves us all.
However, we should all have a healthy fear of God. We are to fear the one who has the power of judgment over our eternal destiny. (Luke 12:4-5; Mark 10:28) We are not to fear man. It can help to never forget, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesian 6:12). The fear of man should not drive our actions. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
The religious leaders and the rulers of Jesus' day were often moved by their fear of human reprisal. It is one thing to see the flagrant violation of justice in the Jewish secret meetings that condemned Jesus, but then to see the blatant violation of justice in the Roman trials is outrageous. The Roman representative sentenced the innocent Jesus to death because he feared political reprisals. All because of fear. What are we afraid of? What influence our life and our decisions? I hope and pray it is the love and God and the love of others. Do what is right, trust God for the outcome, and come to our defense.
References:
Ephesian 6:12
2 Timothy 1:7
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