How does fear of public opinion affect our obedience to God's will? The Setting in Matthew 26:5 “ ‘But not during the feast,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people.’ ” • The chief priests and elders had already decided that Jesus “must” die (v.4). • Their timing, however, was dictated not by God’s revealed plan but by fear of the crowd. • Public opinion, in their minds, outweighed obedience to the very Scriptures they were sworn to uphold. Fear of Man vs. Fear of God • Proverbs 29:25 — “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.” • Matthew 10:28 — Jesus warns not to “fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” • Galatians 1:10 — “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Key thought: When public perception is the ultimate concern, God’s will slips to second place—effectively displacing Him as Lord. What Fear of Public Opinion Produces 1. Delayed or partial obedience (Numbers 13:31–14:4; the spies feared the people of Canaan). 2. Compromise and hypocrisy (John 12:42-43; many rulers believed in Jesus “but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it”). 3. Persecution of the righteous (Matthew 26:5; leaders plotted murder rather than risk unpopularity). 4. Personal misery and spiritual ineffectiveness (Psalm 32:3-4; hiding truth drains vitality). Positive Models of Courageous Obedience • Daniel 3:16-18 — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand firm before a furious king. • Acts 4:19-20 — Peter and John, threatened by authorities, reply, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” • Hebrews 11 — The “faith hall of fame” is filled with people who chose God’s approval over the world’s applause. Why Trusting God Frees Us from the Crowd • God’s sovereignty: He alone controls outcomes (Isaiah 46:9-10). • Our identity: We are “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20); the crowd did not redeem us. • Eternal perspective: What pleases people is temporary; what pleases God lasts forever (2 Corinthians 4:18). Practical Steps to Overcome Fear of Public Opinion • Saturate your mind with Scripture daily; let God’s voice grow louder than the crowd’s. • Pray specifically for boldness (Acts 4:29). • Recall past instances of God’s faithfulness when you obeyed despite pressure. • Choose companions who fear God more than man (Proverbs 13:20). • Speak truth in small settings first; faithfulness in little builds courage for larger moments (Luke 16:10). • Fix your eyes on Jesus, “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). Closing Reflection Matthew 26:5 shows religious leaders reshaping their timetable around human backlash, illustrating how fear of public opinion can hijack obedience. The call is clear: anchor our decisions in reverence for God, not in the shifting sands of popular approval. |
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