Seen that there is a shame-fear. There is also a rejection-fear, people will ridicule, reject and despise me.
‘We are more concerned about looking stupid (a fear of people) than we are about acting sinfully (a fear of the Lord).’ p.40 Paul is not a people pleaser but a people lover. He didn’t change his message according to the hearer. He loved people and so was prepared to confront.
Peter as an example. Showed fear at the trial of Jesus and so denied being a disciple. Then showed fear by eating with Jewish Christians and refusing to eat with Gentile Christians. Finally learned his lesson, 1 Peter 3:13-14:
‘Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."’
Because we fear people they also become our idol of choice. ‘We worship them as the ones who have God-like exposing gazes (shame-fear) or God-like ability to ‘fill’ us with esteem, love, admiration, acceptance, respect and other pyschological desires (rejection-fear).’ p.45 ‘As in all idolatry the idol we chose to serve soon owns us.’ p.46
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