Dan’s Bible Fellowship Class

Proverbs 29:25  “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

What am I seeking most, the approval of men or the approval of God?
How does that manifest itself?

Do I ever conceal or minimize my faith?  Am I willing to speak up and speak out when it would cost me to do so?

Can this issue arise inside the church membership as well as outside among non-believers?

Lord, help me examine my daily living to that I can see with a clear vision.

Luke 12:4-5:  "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him.”

Jesus is warning the church to beware of the Pharisees who outwardly appeared to love God, but inwardly were very different.  He warned that everything would be revealed in due time.  Luke 12:2-3.  I can deceive my friends, my wife, and perhaps even myself.  But nothing is hidden from my God.  What I say, what I think, what I do will (and is) revealed with the bright light of truth.

Jesus again gives a warning in John 12:42-43:  “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Here, many of the leaders claimed that they believed what Jesus said, but they were unwilling to risk their position to follow him. 

How would that be manifested in my life?  Most likely it will come in the business arena for me.  What am I willing to say no to because it violates what God tells me I should do (and be)?  Am I willing to risk a partnership by saying, “No, we are doing that?”  I pray that I am.  I want to be that kind of guy.  However it’s unlikely to manifest in a bold way, probably as something innocuous (on the surface).  I have to be watchful.  I’ve got to stay in the Word, plugged into my power source, if I am to be attentive to the less obvious risks.