Breaking Free from the Fear of Man: Lessons from Kings Saul and David

Fear is something we all experience. As our church recently celebrated its first anniversary, we launched a new series called "Fearless" to explore what the Bible teaches about overcoming fear through our relationship with God.

Pastor Dave reminded us that while we're only born with two innate fears (loud noises and falling), every other fear is conditioned—and therefore conditional. Modern psychology now recognizes what the Bible has taught for thousands of years: reframing our perspective on fear can transform and even eliminate it.

One fear consistently ranks among the top three concerns for 95% of people: public speaking. But this fear isn't really about standing on a stage; it's about what others might think of us when we do. The fear of public speaking is fundamentally the fear of man—the fear of others' opinions, thoughts, and judgments.

The sermon brilliantly contrasted two Old Testament kings to illustrate this truth. King Saul, though physically impressive as "the most handsome man in Israel" and "a head taller than anyone else," was internally insecure. When Samuel told him he would be king, Saul's first response revealed his self-doubt: "Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans?"

Saul's story shows how the fear of man controls us through our insecurities. When he became king, he repeatedly made decisions based on what others thought rather than what God commanded. In one critical battle, when his men began to scatter, Saul performed a sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel as instructed. His explanation spoke volumes: "When I saw the men were scattering... I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

The consequences were severe. Not only did Saul lose his kingship, but his legacy was affected—his son Jonathan never became king. The fear of man cost not only Saul but generations after him.

In contrast, David—a young shepherd boy with no outward qualifications—had an inner security rooted in his relationship with God. Though mocked by his brothers and enemies alike, David exchanged the fear of man for the fear of God. This "fear" wasn't about being scared of God but about living with reverence, putting God first in every circumstance and decision.

The sermon concluded with a powerful truth: every fear takes something from us, except the fear of God, which adds to us. The fear of God is the only life-giving fear—it provides peace, clarity, and assurance based not on our attributes but on God's unchanging goodness.

As we navigate our own fears this week, our pastor challenged us to filter every decision through two questions: "Is this what God wants for me?" and "Is this what God wants from me?" These simple yet profound questions can guide us away from living under the expectations of others and toward the freedom that comes from following God's heart.

Like David, we can find a fearlessness that isn't based on our own strength but on knowing that the God who never changes, leaves, or forsakes us is on our side. And that makes all the difference.