Don’t Be Afraid by J. C. Ryle

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1872

Don’t Be Afraid.

By J. C. Ryle

READER, don’t be afraid of man’s opinion in religion. Never mind being laughed at, or mocked, or persecuted, because you try to please God.

“The fear of man” does indeed “bring a snare.” Prov. 29:25. It is terrible to observe the power which it has over most minds. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide;

what others think right, they think right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too. There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep; they follow a leader. If it was the fashion of the day to be Romanists, they would be Romanists; if to be Mohammedans, they would be Mohammedans. They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God.

The thought, “What will my friends say or think of me?” nips many a good inclination in the bud. The fear of being observed upon, laughed at, ridiculed, prevents many a good habit being taken up. There are Bibles that would be read this very day, if the owners dared. They know they ought to read them, but they are afraid: “What will people say?” There are knees that would be bent in prayer this very night, but the fear of man forbids it: “What would my wife, my brother, my friend, my companion, say, if they saw me praying?” Alas, what wretched slavery this is, and yet how common!

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28. Only try to please God, and he can soon make others pleased with you. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Prov. 16:7.

Reader, don’t be afraid of man’s opinion. Fear God, and never be ashamed of his service. There is nothing to be ashamed of in seeking to be saved.—J. C. Ryle.