We need to understand the difference between fear with respect to man and with respect to God. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The fear of man is the result of unbelief in the heart of God as our Father and His perfect care and control over every detail of our life. The fear of man is also a result of having temporarily lost our fellowship with God through pride or disobedience or a lack of dependence. The proper fear of God is a reverential respect for His majesty and authority and power over all things including ourselves. When we walk in the light, we walk in the conscious sense that He sees and knows every detail of what is happening with us, and if coupled with the enjoyment of His perfect love, the fear of man or circumstances is cast out. If we do not respect God and walk in disobedience, we lose our confidence in His love and our conscience will make us fear His governmental hand upon our lives. Because God has given every man a conscience, the unbeliever seeks to ignore and remove God from his thoughts, for he lives with the fear of being judged by God.