Bold As a Lion

The emotion of fear is a gift from God.

Fear protects us from danger. Fear keeps us alive.

Fear is problematic when we are fearful in the absence of danger.

Fear consumes the lives of those who do not live by faith.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Revelation 21:8

Fear is a logical consequence of sin.

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.Genesis 3:10

Fear is paralyzing.

Fear is contagious.

The emotion of fear is not a sin. Living a life of fear is.

Fear leaves no room for faith.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?Mark 4:37-40

Our confidence is not self-confidence.

We can trust in the person of God.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.John 14:1

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.Psalm 91:1-6

We can trust in the promises of God.

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.Psalm 119:92-93

We can trust in the people of God.

Our boldness comes from following a righteous path.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.1 Timothy 4:8-10

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;1 Timothy 6:17

“The lion is not afraid in the onset of beasts, because he knows well that he is stronger than them all. Whence the fearlessness of a righteous man is rightly compared to a lion, because, when he beholds any rising against him, he returns to the confidence of his mind, and knows that he overcomes all his adversaries because he loves Him alone whom he cannot in any way lose against His will.”

Fear causes us to follow the world. Faith emboldens us to live for Jesus.

Fear is contagious, but so is faith.

Faith is a muscle that grows the more that you use it.

Fear causes us to question God’s goodness and faithfulness. Trust in His track record and His Word.

Be willing to be bold in your stand for Jesus.

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