Be Bold

When I was young my mom admonished me to not be so bold. In other words, she meant I was being too pushy. So, in my mind, I associated boldness with being too pushy and agressive. However, that’s not what God says.

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame. Psalm 119:46 (English Standard Version, ESV)

We are to speak the Word of God boldly and without shame. In today’s world, people would seek to silence Christians through shaming us. They falsely accuse believers of hatred and bigotry because we tell the truth of God’s Word and dare to live by it. It may not win us any popularity contests with the world- as a matter of fact it may draw persecution- but we cannot be quiet.

I refuse to be ashamed of sharing the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere! Romans 1:16 (The Passion Translation, TPT)

Paul understood that to remain quiet about the good news of Jesus would be the same as withholding the opportunity of salvation from others. The Word of God is not something to hide, but it is something to speak of freely and courageously. They may scoff at us, but the only hope the world has is Jesus. How can we in good conscious keep silent about it when people are dying every second and going to spend eternity in hell? We simply cannot!

The Holy Writings say, “No one who puts his trust in Christ will ever be put to shame.” Romans 10:11 (New Life Version, NLV)

With the society around us hostile to the things of God, how are we to act? We must be bolder than ever to speak the truth in love. I am not suggesting that we go out and pick fights about what people believe. I am saying that we need stand our ground when confronted, and we must take each opportunity presented to calmly, lovingly, yet firmly, tell people the truth of the Word. The goodness of God is what leads people to repentance, so blasting sinners by telling them that they are going to hell is not likely going to pursuade them to become Christians. But, we do need to be straight-forward and not shy away from speaking the Word to someone when God opens the door to do so.

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 (English Standard Version, ESV)

You can do it. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you power to witness. Pray in tongues to tap into the power of God. Then, be bold , as bold as a lion.