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Standing Firm Under Cultural Pressure: Fear of God vs. Fear of Man
Question
How can Christians stand firm in their faith when cultural pressure to compromise is so strong?
Answer
The answer begins with who we fear most. Scripture draws a clear line between the fear of man, which leads to compromise, and the fear of the Lord, which leads to courage and obedience.
When the approval of people becomes more important than faithfulness to God, compromise follows. When reverence for God rules our hearts, we find the strength to stand firm, even when obedience costs us dearly.
1. The Fear of Man Is a Snare
Proverbs 29:25 warns, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” The fear of man enslaves us to public opinion. It drives us to avoid rejection, to soften truth, or to hide our convictions. It whispers, “Do not stand out, do not offend, do not suffer.”
This temptation is not new. Peter once denied Jesus out of fear of man (Luke 22:54–62). The Galatians wavered because they wanted to please people (Galatians 1:10). When the culture roars against biblical conviction, the fear of man still tempts God’s people today.
2. The Fear of God Frees Us to Stand Firm
The fear of the Lord is not terror, it is reverent awe and holy devotion to His majesty and holiness. It means caring more about what God thinks than what others think.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “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.”
This fear rightly orders our loves. It anchors us in truth and frees us from the tyranny of human approval. The fear of God gives courage because we know His verdict matters most, and His verdict is secure in Christ.
3. Cultural Pressure Will Test Us
Our age prizes tolerance over truth and comfort over conviction. The cost of standing for biblical truth, especially regarding morality, marriage, and salvation, can be high.
Yet God’s people have always faced cultural hostility. Daniel stood firm in Babylon. The apostles obeyed God rather than men (Acts 5:29). The Reformers risked everything to stand for Scripture’s authority.
We are called to do the same—to stand with conviction, to speak the truth in love, and to remember that Christ is Lord, not culture.
4. How to Cultivate the Fear of God
- Behold God’s holiness through Scripture (Isaiah 6:1–5).
- Remember Christ’s sacrifice—the cross reveals both God’s justice and mercy.
- Pray for courage to live faithfully, not comfortably.
- Surround yourself with believers who strengthen conviction.
- Keep eternity in view—the opinions of men fade, but God’s truth endures forever.
When we fear the Lord rightly, we can face any storm courageously.
5. Standing Firm with Hope
The fear of God does not drive us away from Him—it draws us near in reverent trust. As we grow in awe of His majesty, the world’s threats lose their grip. Faithful obedience may bring ridicule or loss, but it also brings joy and peace rooted in Christ’s unshakable kingdom. The One we fear most is the very One who saves, keeps, and rewards His people.
Key Scriptures: Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 10:28, Acts 5:29, Galatians 1:10, Isaiah 6:1–5
“The fear of man enslaves, but the fear of God frees. When we stand in awe of the Lord, we find courage to stand firm in a world that wavers.”
Dave Jenkins | servantsofgrace.org
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
