Proverbs 29:25 – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
A snare is something that captures. It us used to prevent an animal, or in this case a person, from going any further. It does not hold for a minute and let go, a snare is built to hold as long as it needs to, until someone sets the captive free. The dictionary says that it serves entrap or entangle unawares. How fascinating. Giving yield to a fear of men speaks loudly of the faith and character of the entangled. It shows that not only is there a lack of heart, but it also reveals the unaware spirit.
Only those who are walking unaware are entrapped… snared. It is the man who is walking with their eyes clearly set on the purposes and plans of God who are kept safe because they SEE the snare and refuse to step into it. A man or woman who walk with a fear of men never walk very far.
BUT, whoever trusts in the Lord – they’re kept safe. It would appear to speak that God reveals to that person where the snares are – almost like a map. This way, when the snare is approached it is not a surprise OR a hindrance. It’s just a failed attempt to capture, easily recognized and easily overcome, because it has NOTHING to do with God’s plan for us.
It’s so easy to let the fear of someone’s reaction dictate the situation. Sometimes people are afraid to confront because of fear. Fear of being disliked. Fear of being rejected. Fear of men. It is obvious that the fear of men is irrelevant for where I need to go. We often quote, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”, but am I living like I truly believe this? Am I chasing after the impossible knowing that it can become possible? Or am I paying attention to those who say, “It can’t happen!”? I’ve got to lock my eyes on Christ and I’ve got to become more aware of the snares. I can’t let people, being used by the enemy to distract, get in my way. I’ve got to recognize the situation as a snare and move on with joy in Christ.
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