Both are essential

Luke 18:2

New King James Version (NKJV)

² [Jesus was] saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.

In this passage Jesus is setting up the parable of the persistent widow by giving us a snap shot of the judge.  You probably remember the story.  This widow comes before a judge asking for justice; the judge refuses to grant it to her; the widow persists; the judge gives in not because of any of his goodness but because of her relentlessness.

Years ago as I read this parable it was this verse that jumped off the page at me.  Jesus is trying to describe a judge that lacks righteousness.  He is painting a picture of the widow's nemeses.  Jesus wants us to understand what this woman was up against.  And so, he attributes two negative characteristics to this unrighteous judge.  Number one, he didn't fear God.  Number two, he didn't regard man.

This quickly became a prayer of mine.  I have often prayed that I would fear God and regard man.  Both of these are essential.  God is the only one that we should fear and when you truly fear Him it will free you up to regard and care for others.  If you fear man you can never truly regard others.  You will only fear what each person thinks.  This will be a snare to you.

Proverbs 29:25

English Standard Version (ESV)

^25(A) The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.