Fear of God vs. Fear of Man - Hidden Gems

Welcome to Week 5 of our Hidden Gems series at Citizen Church! This week, Pastor Dustin brings a powerful and practical message titled "Fear of God vs. Fear of Man" — a word that speaks to all of us, no matter our age or season of life. We all wrestle with fear. But there’s one fear the Bible warns can trap us more than any other — the fear of man. It can rob us of boldness, delay our obedience, and cause us to live for approval instead of purpose. The good news? The fear of the Lord is not fear as the world knows it — it’s awe, reverence, and alignment with God… and it leads to life and freedom. Key Scriptures: Proverbs 29:25 | Proverbs 19:23 | Psalm 112:1,7 | Psalm 118:6 | Galatians 1:10 | 1 Samuel 15:24 | Proverbs 14:27 In this message, you'll learn: – How the fear of man traps us into people-pleasing and passivity – Why the fear of God brings peace, perspective, and power – What this tension looks like across different life stages — from teens to senior saints – How to trade insecurity for security by listening to God’s voice above all others “The fear of man is living your life in response to people… instead of obedience to God.” “Every time fear wins, something God planned for you gets delayed.” Final Thought / Weekly Challenge: This week, take time to reflect: What has the fear of man kept you from doing that God is calling you to do? Ask God for courage to obey, even when it's uncomfortable — and trust that fearing Him leads to freedom, not bondage. Let this be the week you choose purpose over popularity, truth over approval, and His voice over every other.