Beware of this Dangerous Trap

Daily Devotional – Friday, March 31, 2023
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

Two brothers are at home alone. The mother is away at work. In the course of play, the younger one breaks their mother’s earthen pot unintentionally. After a moment of panic, the older boy devises a plan.

Trapped and Blackmailed

They collect pieces of the shattered pot and throw them away. None of them will tell the truth. Mother will not know. There is a condition, though. To ensure the culprit does not receive due punishment from his mother and father, he will be performing all chores assigned to his elder brother.

And so begins a life of fear, blackmail, and slavery. For days, the small boy does all the chores. At the end of the day, he is so exhausted that he barely eats. All he wants is to sleep. During the day, when he complains, his brother threatens to tell his mother. The little lad keeps mum because he knows his mother will beat him mercilessly.

Freed from Guilt

Meanwhile, the mother has noticed her younger son’s unusual behaviour. One evening, she calls the boy into her bedroom and coaxes him to talk. He spills the beans. The mother is saddened by the suffering the boy has undergone. She forgives him and punishes the older boy instead. Finally, the little one can play without fear. Mother has freed him from the snare of fear and blackmail.

In Proverbs 29:25, Solomon states a truth that summarizes the story of the two siblings. He says, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.” (Proverbs 29:25). The little boy feared his brother and his mother and ended up a slave. Only by confessing his sin did he regain his freedom.

Consequences of Fearing People

The spiritual realm is not different. Fear of human beings makes us slaves to them. The Pulpit’s Commentary states, “He who, through fear of what man may do to him, think or say of him, does what he knows to be wrong, lets his moral cowardice lead him into sin, leaves duty undone—such a man gets no real good from his weakness, outrages conscience, displeases God.”

In contrast, ‘trusting in God means safety’. The Pulpit’s Commentary further posits, “Such trust carries a man safe through all dangers; fearing to offend God, living as always under his eye, he feels Divine protection, and he knows that whatever happens is for the best.” The contrast between fearing people and trusting in God cannot be starker!

Beware of this Dangerous Trap

Beware of this dangerous trap of sacrificing principles to please human beings. Those who want you to appease them, do so because of their selfish interests. They are not interested in your happiness. Their friendship will last as long as you remain their slave. Instead, submit to Jesus and enjoy safety, real freedom, and unconditional love.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach me to obey and trust You and not to fall into the dangerous trap of fearing human beings.