John 9: 20-21 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
The parents of the blind man whom Jesus healed were somewhat aware of who had healed him and knew He was called Christ (the Anointed One), which the Jewish religious leaders did not accept; stating this could cause the parents to be outcast from their religious community, so they put their own son under the bus by redirecting the question to him, stating he is old enough to answer it.
There are two things we see from the scripture: for the parents, the fear of man was greater than the fear of God; secondly, their so-called love for their own son had limitations, and as far as it did not affect them, they were all out for it, but when it affects them, they put their hands up.
The situation today is the same among Christians: they all love God and claim to abide in the Word of God, both congregation and leaders. But in actual fact, they fear man more than God. Even when they know what they are doing is wrong, they will continue in it out of fear of being reprimanded by their mentors, leaders or congregation. When the situation is hot, they will stand for each other only to a limit that it does not affect them too much. It may be people known or even their own, yet they have boundaries for each.
Most of the Men of God (including women) are Men of Men. They fear man more than they fear God. They abide by the instructions of man rather than those of God (Word of God).
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You alone are God, and there is none like You, it is for this You declared Yourself as I AM WHO I AM. Lord, we pray we know who You are and thus have fear of You always. We pray we do not dare cross or challenge You. We pray we overcome the fear of man, who has not given us life nor can take it away, but fear You, who has given us life and has the power to take it away…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Matthew 10:26-28
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Isaiah 8:12-13
12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.