OTKC 26: Fear God, Not Man

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell, Matthew 10:28 (ESVUK)

What Did Jesus Mean?

When Jesus speaks of “fearing God,” He employs the Hebrew concept of yirah – a reverent awe that encompasses both holy respect and loving submission. This is not the cowering terror we might feel before a tyrant, but rather the profound recognition of God’s absolute sovereignty, holiness, and righteous authority over all creation.

The Greek word phobeo, used in this passage, carries the dual meaning of both fear and reverence. Jesus contrasts two types of fear: the temporal fear of human beings who can harm only the physical body, and the eternal reverence due to God who holds ultimate authority over both body and soul. As Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (ESVUK).

Christ’s teaching here echoes the words of Isaiah: “The Lord of hosts, him you shall honour as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:13, ESVUK). This divine fear is not about punishment but about proper perspective – recognising that our Creator’s opinion matters infinitely more than the fleeting judgements of finite human beings.

The juxtaposition in Matthew 10:28 is deliberate: those who can kill the body are limited in their power, but God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell, possesses absolute authority. This isn’t meant to terrify but to liberate – when we truly grasp God’s supreme position, the threats and opinions of others lose their paralysing grip on our hearts.

Jesus and the Early Church Demonstrating Kingdom Rule

Jesus Himself exemplified this principle throughout His earthly ministry. When faced with the Pharisees’ attempts to trap Him, the crowds’ desire to make Him king, or Pilate’s threats, Christ remained steadfast in His commitment to the Father’s will. In John 12:43, Jesus criticised the religious leaders because “they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (ESVUK).

Before Pilate, Jesus demonstrated perfect fearlessness towards human authority: “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11, ESVUK). Even facing crucifixion, Christ’s reverence remained fixed upon the Father rather than the temporal powers arrayed against Him.

The early church provides compelling examples of this principle in action. When the Sanhedrin commanded the apostles to stop preaching about Jesus, Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20, ESVUK).

Stephen, facing martyrdom, exhibited the same holy fearlessness. Rather than cowering before his accusers, he boldly proclaimed the gospel, demonstrating that his ultimate concern was pleasing God rather than preserving his life (Acts 7). Similarly, Paul wrote, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10, ESVUK).

These examples illustrate that fearing God doesn’t eliminate opposition or guarantee physical safety – rather, it provides the courage to remain faithful regardless of human pressure or persecution.

Importance of the Command in the Believer’s Life

The fear of the Lord serves as the foundation for authentic Christian living. Without this proper reverence, believers become susceptible to the approval of others, leading to compromise and spiritual ineffectiveness. When we fear man more than God, we inevitably distort our witness and dilute our message to avoid offence.

This divine fear produces several crucial benefits in the believer’s life. Firstly, it generates moral courage. Proverbs 29:25 warns, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (ESVUK). When our reverence is properly directed towards God, we find strength to stand for truth even when it’s unpopular.

Secondly, fearing God cultivates spiritual discernment. As we align our hearts with His perspective, we begin to see situations through eternal rather than temporal lenses. The fear of the Lord enables us to distinguish between what appears important to human eyes and what truly matters in God’s kingdom.

Furthermore, this proper fear leads to genuine freedom. Paradoxically, when we submit completely to God’s authority, we’re liberated from the exhausting burden of constantly seeking human approval. We can speak truth in love, serve with authenticity, and live with confidence because our identity is secure in Christ.

The fear of God also deepens our intimacy with Him. Psalm 25:14 declares, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him” (ESVUK). This reverent relationship enables believers to access divine wisdom and guidance that surpasses human understanding.

Practical Steps to Follow the Command

• Regularly meditate on God’s character as revealed in Scripture: Study passages that highlight His holiness, sovereignty, and love, allowing these truths to reshape your perspective on both God and human opinion.
• Develop a robust prayer life that consistently acknowledges God’s supreme authority: Start each day by surrendering your concerns, decisions, and relationships to His lordship. When facing situations where human approval conflicts with divine will, pause to pray and seek God’s perspective before responding.
• Cultivate accountability relationships with mature and bold believers: They will encourage you to prioritise God’s approval over human acceptance. Surround yourself with fellow disciples who share your commitment to fearing the Lord rather than man.
• Practice speaking truth in love, even when it’s difficult: Begin with small opportunities to honour God rather than please people, building spiritual courage for larger challenges. Remember Peter’s words: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29, ESVUK).
• Study the lives of biblical heroes who exemplified godly fear: Daniel’s commitment to prayer despite the king’s decree, Esther’s willingness to risk her life for her people, and the Hebrew youths’ refusal to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image all provide powerful examples of choosing divine approval over human pressure.
• Remember that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18): As you grow in understanding God’s incredible love for you in Christ, the fear of human rejection will naturally diminish. When you’re secure in your heavenly Father’s unconditional love, earthly opinions lose their power to control your choices.

The path of discipleship calls us to this fundamental choice: will we live for the applause of earth or the approval of heaven? Christ’s command in Matthew 10:28 points us toward the joy and freedom found in fearing God alone.

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom

Questions for Reflection

• How would you assess your current ability to fear God and not man?
• What can you do today to help you operate in the line of not being intimidated by men and capable of focusing on what is pleasing and honouring to God?
• How can your prayer life be shaped to be more aligned with the desire to have reverential awe to God to be the basis of helping to dismiss fear of man?