Battling the Fear of Man? Be an Old Man

Ever witness a gray-haired and grizzled older man say something profound, of substance, and even jarring? There is a special mode many older Christians develop, that when accompanied by humility, is an awesome thing to behold.

That would be: the boldness to say what needs to be said.

Wisdom is with the aged,
and understanding in length of days.

Job 12:12

Why is that? What is it about having lived long and maybe nearing the end of life that would give someone this penchant for boldness? Is it wisdom? Is it godliness? Is it a loss of a sense of what is appropriate? It might be some combo of all of those, but one big one and worth emulating (with care) is that they have lost their “Fear of Man”.

The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Proverbs 29:25

They understand the reality we all live under but few realize…
– No man can harm you, fire you, or persecute you, without the Lord’s allowance.
– No man can eternally or rightly judge you; only the Lord can.
– No man is worth pleasing above the Lord.

When we accept this reality and let it sink deep into our minds and hearts, we are freed to speak boldly and with humility.

Old men get it. Be like them.

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