People-centeredness (“the fear of man”) disguises itself in many forms. The question is not “if” you struggle with being people centered, but “how?”
(If you think you never struggle with being people centered, then in your case the problem may be pride, see egocentricity).
Mrs. Vitamin Z humbly explains how perfectionism may betray a “fear of man.”
. . . I realized what I have in the past called "perfectionism", "striving for excellence", "serving within one’s giftedness", is often just the ugly head of "fear of man". I am far too concerned with how I will come across, will others approve of me, will I measure up?
We recently finished Ed Welch’s book, "When People are Big and God is Small" in our home group. While, it obviously didn’t solve my problem with the fear of man, it has at least made me realize how often I struggle with it and remind me where I need to turn my thoughts. So finding myself once again in this familiar place, I thought I would just share the battle with you.
The best way for me to offset fear of man is to concentrate on the All-Surpassing Supremacy of Christ. . .
Read the whole thing here.
Besides perfectionism, what are some other ways we betray a “fear of man”? Brainstorming:
- Shyness – (One that parents too often let go)
- An unwillingness to have others into your home because of how you fear it looks – How much fellowship is lost in the Church because we are concerned our houses are too messy?
- An unwillingness to pray in front of others
- Being very private, not sharing prayer requests, or not being willing to talk to your pastor
- Being overly critical
- Always needing to tell the best story (listen to Bryan Regan talk about the “me-monster” and walking on the moon here)
