Big fear of man and little fear of God

The following is an excerpt from a final class paper written by a current resident here at TTG:

This book has truly helped me realize my fear of man.  I began reading this book with the mindset that I wouldn't get anything from it, but I was completely wrong. My fear of man is outrageous.  I always blamed it on my personality and tried to use that as an excuse.  I never saw my fear of man as the big problem it really was.  I realize now how my fear of man has completely controlled me.  It would cause me to lie, to say what I thought people wanted to hear, avoid embarrassing situations, and to be completely fake in front of people because I wanted them to like me.  I also learned that comparing yourself to others is an excuse to sin.  I tell myself, "Well they claim to be a Christian and have sex outside of marriage, so why can't I?"  I know the answer to that question now and it's because I know it is wrong.  I know it is disobedient to the Word of God.  I now love, respect, and fear the Lord and that allows for me to know what is right and do what is right by God.  Every human being struggles with the fear of man and can be called codependency, people pleasing, peer pressure and upholding your reputation.  I've learned how to fear God more than man, how to grow in that area of obedience, and I'm able to know now when I am fearing man before God.