June 18 — Fearing God More Than People
SCRIPTURE READING:
Proverbs 27-29
SCRIPTURE:
Passage: Proverbs 27
¹ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
² Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
³ A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
⁴ Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
⁵ Open rebuke is better than secret love.
⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
⁷ The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
⁸ As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
⁹ Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
¹⁰ Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
¹¹ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
¹² A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
¹³ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
¹⁴ He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
¹⁵ A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
¹⁶ Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
¹⁷ Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
¹⁸ Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
¹⁹ As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
²⁰ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
²¹ As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
²² Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
²³ Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
²⁴ For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
²⁵ The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
²⁶ The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
²⁷ And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Passage: Proverbs 28
¹ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
² For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
³ A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
⁵ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
⁶ Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
⁷ Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
⁸ He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
⁹ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
¹⁰ Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
¹² When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
¹³ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
¹⁴ Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
¹⁵ As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
¹⁶ The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
¹⁷ A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
¹⁸ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
¹⁹ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
²¹ To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
²² He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
²³ He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
²⁴ Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
²⁵ He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
²⁶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
²⁷ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Passage: Proverbs 29
¹ He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
³ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
⁴ The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
⁵ A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
⁶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
⁷ The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
⁸ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
⁹ If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
¹¹ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
¹² If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
¹³ The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
¹⁴ The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
¹⁷ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
²⁰ Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
²¹ He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
²² An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
²³ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
²⁴ Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
²⁵ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
²⁶ Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
DEVOTIONAL:
Proverbs 27 begins with a simple command that exposes much of human arrogance: do not boast of tomorrow. We pretend we can forecast and control, but wisdom calls us back to creatureliness. The future belongs to God, and that reality is not meant to paralyze us. It is meant to humble us, making us thankful for today and careful with our words.
These chapters also emphasize the gift and danger of relationships. Faithful wounds from a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy. Iron sharpening iron is not a cozy image; it is friction that produces usefulness. Covenant life requires relationships sturdy enough to correct us. A person who cannot be corrected is a person being quietly prepared for ruin. Wisdom therefore welcomes friends who love you enough to tell the truth.
Proverbs 28 and 29 put a spotlight on leadership, justice, and the fear of man. “The fear of man bringeth a snare” because it makes approval into a master. When people-pleasing rules the heart, truth becomes negotiable and courage disappears. Scripture contrasts that with trusting in the LORD, which provides safety not by removing hardship but by freeing the conscience to obey regardless of pressure.
These proverbs also expose how injustice multiplies. When the wicked bear rule, people mourn. When righteousness increases, people rejoice. Wisdom sees that sin is not only personal; it is communal. A leader’s character shapes a community’s health. That is why the fear of God matters so much: it is the only fear strong enough to put all lesser fears in their place.
Jesus is the One who feared God perfectly and therefore was not trapped by the fear of man. He did not tailor truth to crowds, nor did He retreat from obedience when opposition rose. He endured the cross, despising the shame, because His eyes were fixed on the Father’s will. In Him, courage becomes a gospel fruit, because our standing with God is secured by grace rather than by human approval.
In daily life, ask yourself who your heart is trying to impress. Let the fear of the LORD become the anchor that stabilizes your choices, your parenting, and your speech. Seek friendships that sharpen you, and be willing to offer faithful wounds with humility. In church life, pursue accountability that is loving and honest, because a community that cannot correct itself will be corrected by consequences.
In U.S. civic life, the virtue of courage rooted in truth is needed because fear can drive both silence and cruelty. Pray for leaders to fear God more than donors or crowds, and pray for citizens to pursue truth with humility. Christians should show up as people who speak honestly without malice, refuse intimidation, and remain faithful even when it is unpopular.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Where do you see the fear of man most shaping your decisions or your silence?
Why does Proverbs treat honest correction as a gift rather than as an insult?
How do these chapters connect righteous leadership with the well-being of a community?
What would it look like for you to fear God more than you fear being misunderstood or rejected?
PRAYER:
ADORATION:
LORD, You are the One whose approval matters most, the King whose judgment is true and whose mercy is sure. You are worthy of reverent fear and wholehearted trust.
CONFESSION:
I confess my people-pleasing and my cowardice. I have bent truth to avoid discomfort and sought applause more than faithfulness. Forgive me and steady my heart.
THANKSGIVING:
Thank You for wise friends who sharpen and correct, and for Your Word that refuses to flatter. Thank You for Jesus, who endured shame and remained faithful to the Father.
SUPPLICATION – GENERAL:
Free me from the fear of man. Give me courage to obey, humility to receive correction, and love to offer correction wisely. Build honest relationships in my home and in our church.
SUPPLICATION – U.S. / CIVIC:
Grant courageous truthfulness to leaders and citizens. Protect those who speak honestly at cost, and restrain mobs and manipulation. Make the church a calm, courageous witness that fears God and loves neighbor.
SCRIPTURE: The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25