When People Are Big and God Is Small

Summary from Justin Taylor @ http://theologica.blogspot.com/

"The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Proverbs 29:25

"Fear of man is such a part of our human fabric that we should check for pulse if someone denies it."--Ed Welch, When Peple Are Big and God Is Small.

In order to fear God, not man, here are the steps Welch sets forth in his book, which I've just started and would warmly commend:

Step 1: Recognize that the fear of man is a major theme both in the Bible and in your own life.

Step 2: Identify where your fear of man has been intensified by people in your past.

Step 3: Identify where your fear of man has been intensified by the assumptions of the world.

Step 4: Understand and grow in the fear of the Lord. The person who fears God will fear nothing else.

Step 5: Examine where your desires have been too big. When we fear people, people are big, our desires are even bigger, and God is small.

Step 6: Rejoice that God has covered your shame, protected you from danger, and accepted you. He has filled you with love.

Step 7: Need other people less, love other people more. Out of obedience to Christ, and as a response to his love toward you, pursue others in love.