Boldness101

Would you like to have spiritual boldness? To live more boldly for Christ? Here's how.

The church today seems to lack courage to do what God has called and enables us to do. We have much need of boldness as we see the enemies of God advancing on all fronts. We see much spiritual confusion and delusion.

Dare to stand for Jesus. Take the road less travelled. Swim against the tide. Stand for truth in the wishy-washy relativism of today. Stand for the right even if you are a lone voice. As John the Baptist did. A voice crying in the wilderness.

We may face suffering for Christ. Do not be deterred. We face a committed enemy. He is unrelenting. We must oppose him.

The Lord tells Joshua, go, over this Jordan… I will not fail thee, I will not forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed (why?) - for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Be not afraid. Fear not. Be bold.

We can overcome fear with faith. Consider the boldness of Noah. He laboured on for many years. He built the ark despite much opposition.

David faced the giant with only a sling and a stone. He volunteered for the fight. he wasn’t conscripted. He wasn’t even in the army.

Godly boldness is motivated by passion for Christ and His truth. Our source of courage is faith. We trust in the Lord. We can draw strength from Him.

One of the keys is that we spend time with the Lord: Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. These were unschooled, ordinary people.

Pray for boldness. In Acts 4:29, the believers prayed for boldness to continue proclaiming the gospel. Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Esther was another who showed great courage in the face of danger. How about us? Are we willing to step out of the comfort zone?

You have a story to tell. Now more than ever we need to be confident in our faith. Be prepared to share your faith. All of us can be used of God to tell another soul. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth… We can have a godly conviction.

The world is increasingly bold to market evil. Let’s face it. It’s a godless culture. An age of tolerance. We have dire need of truth-telling.

Unbelieving fear will freeze us. But know that God has chosen you for a divine assignment. The courage that we have is what God has given us. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Your boldness will provoke others… Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Take small steps. It starts with the smallest of steps. Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Here’s where true strength and courage comes from. Know the power of faith.

Do not be afraid to do right. This is when the courage will show. Do the godly thing.

Be consistent. Don’t give up. Don’t give in to despair. You may face testing, rejection of men… Be willing to be brave, and face danger.

You can be bold.
Be bold in your home.
Be a godly testimony to your family.
Seek the glory of God above all else.

Our foundation is strong. If we’re firmly planted in His Word. Know that: He will not fail you. Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Know that the Lord will sustain you. Joel 3:10 …let the weak say, I am strong.

Our boldness is a God-confidence, rather than a self-confidence. Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. He is always there, standing by, at your side. You can call on His help at any time. Trust in the never-failing help of God.

The boldness that we speak of is not an arrogance of our own flesh, generated by the power of pride or of our own self. But it is rather by the power of God’s Spirit.