The Most Timid Christian Will Be Given A Greater Boldness

There are many of us who are born to this life with a tendency to develop an introverted personality. How does this introverted personality affect your life as a Christian? It may be difficult for this person to witness his faith in a hostile worldly environment. God will, however, provide for the most timid of us. Has God made you bold in the Gospel since your conversion? On the other hand, do you worry about being offensive to this friend or to that acquaintance if you share the good news of Jesus Christ? Is boldness a spiritual quality we should seek or is it inappropriate for our culture and times?

After a confrontation with the local religious authorities – Peter, John, and company once prayed, “‘And now, Lord, . . . grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31, ESV)

Paul had faced cultural conflict but revealed his source of strength in these words, “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” (1 Thessalonians 2:2, ESV) Paul had found boldness in God. We see that the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak of Christ with boldness.

How long has it been since you prayed, “Lord, give that kind boldness to me. Help me to open my mouth and to speak as boldly of Jesus Christ as I ought to speak”? Have you never prayed that way? The verses above demonstrate that it is a spiritual characteristic greatly to be desired. Should we be less bold than these disciples were?

Was not Christ, Himself, bold in delivering His message of judgment and mercy? If we believe in the seriousness of the message, how can we speak of it lightly and timidly to others? Have you ceased to believe in the wonders of heaven? Do you think the torture, agonies, and weeping of hell are uncivilized myths? You cannot. If you count yourself among the converted, pray for a holy boldness to confront the world with the Gospel. Eternal life is a serious matter.