Pride is at the root of fear!

Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."

Have you ever seen a dog or cat that hisses or growls at people? I have several times in my life, and these animals are always without a doubt, fearful. They are protecting themselves from perceived harm. They have either been trained to be afraid of humans at a young age or they are sensing something that is harmful.

When we experience people whose automatic reaction to normal and rational challenges is to rage we are watching a fearful person. Those who are not fearful can discern whether or not there is a real threat or just a disagreement.

Those who are fearful are not able to discern an actual threat from a trigger of their emotions based on their own pride. These people see every minor challenge as a threat as they respond irrationally and intensely to things that need no defense at all.

I have encountered many people in our region who are easily annoyed and even exasperated at the slightest disagreement. These people are unable to validate others who disagree with them. They cannot see anyone else's side of anything because their pride demands that others agree for them to feel affirmed.

Those who walk in confidence without concern if others like them will be able to hear a challenge without feeling threatened. Since confident people have no need to be validated by others to exist they can engage in open discussions to learn about others without panic or alarm.

God tells us not to be fearful we are to walk in truth. This affords us the enjoyment of calmly discussing matters with others even if we disagree without the need to be seen as superior.

Fearful people are driven to appear superior, if they are not superior in their own minds they are nothing at all.

Proverbs 22:4

"The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life."

It is unthinkable for the fearful person to humble themselves. The thought of being less than someone else is outrageous to those who love to think highly of themselves. The fearful person counts themselves less than others if someone else knows something they don't know or is confident without the need for validation.

Fearful people are terrified of the confident person who has no need to be affirmed by anyone else. They see confident people as a threat to their perceived superiority.

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

We are exalted when we are humble walking without fear in confidence because we follow Christ.

We can see a confident person and feel a sense of trust in them. When trials come we know they will remain calm and think of others before concern for themself. These people want to bring people together in reconciliation because of their love.

Colossians 3:12 "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"

Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

We can see a fearful person and the trials and foolishness they bring to any relationship. Chaos is constant with those who must appear superior continually bringing instability to every situation as well as dividing friends from one another through gossip.

Proverbs 16:27-29 "…27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. 29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.…"

James 3:5-6 "In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

It is fear that causes gossips to turn one person against another. The fear that someone will like the person they hate, dominates the gossip's mind. It is intolerable to the gossip that someone would enjoy the person they hate.

Those who love Jesus Christ and walk in His principles will have a far different bent from those who have "religion" but do not have Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor."

Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."

Those who walk disobediently will twist scripture to justify their own defense of sinful behavior. They will claim others are angry when it is they who are fearful and deceptive. Let's not forget how the devil tricked Eve into believing God was doing something wrong when it was he who was wicked.

Romans 16:17-18 "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."

Romans 16:17-18

"Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."

Proverbs 29:23 "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor."