Be Bold: Don't Be Afriad to Speak

The spirit of fear and lack of boldness is a major issue for many young (in age) Christians. Youth are often inundated with peer pressure and to go with the flow; to conform to the ways of the world. Many young people are so consumed with how people look at them and perceive them instead of realizing that the only person who can affirm them is their Creator. Yet we are called to something great and that is to tell the world that God is real, that He gave His only Son as a sacrifice so that our debts and sins could be forgiven. God wants us to speak. He wants us to do that which He has called us to. In Acts 18:9-10, God spoke to Paul and said:

…Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

¹⁰For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

¹¹And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

If God has called us to speak then He has made heavenly arrangement to ensure that we glorify His name. God asks that we “not hold our peace, for He is with us”. He said that He would be with us. He is telling us that if we just trust that He will fill our mouths and stand by us and His Word, we shouldn’t be afraid to speak. We should feel free to open our mouths and tell of His mercy, love and grace. God also promises that no one would harm us. If God is for us, who can be against us? I know we all have heard it before but do we really understand and believe it? We should constantly remind ourselves that Christ said He would not leave us as orphans. We will not need to fend for ourselves and protect ourselves from all the wolves in the world. No, He is going to protect us. He will make sure that we are kept and preserved. Then God says something beautiful, He said that He has many people in the city. I wonder, do we ever stop and think about the fact that God has strategically placed many of us in a particular city for a particular reason? I know that my God just doesn’t throw ideas in the air and see if they stick? No, He is a thoughtful God that orchestrates all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. God has set His people in cities to be an encouragement, protectors, watchers, and a cup of cold water. He has not forgotten us. If He has called us He will take care of us and that also means situating His saints in various places.

God will also give you the words to speak. Isaiah 50:4 reads,

4 “ The Lord GOD has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

And while the previous passage speaks of Christ, we have been commissioned to do His Works on the earth. So if Jesus wants us to do that which He did, wouldn’t it only be fitting that we too will have the tongue of the learned? We would have a word in season for those who are weary? Bottom line, when He calls you He equips you. You never have to worry or wonder what to speak. God will give you the words, He will provide protection, He will be with you, He will provide people in the faith as a comfort for you and so much more.

Dare to be different for the Lord. I know it can be hard dealing with people’s perceptions of you, wanting to be liked by classmates and co-workers, but we need to understand we only need to be approved by One’ person” and that is God! We are in the world but we are not of the world. We need to remember what Jesus said about us in His prayer before being led away to be tried and crucified. My music ministry director mentioned something to us once. He said that God mounts us on wings as eagles and as many of you may know, eagles soar to new heights and when the wind is troublesome they don’t stop flying they just rise higher. He said that eagles don’t flock. That simple phrase really changed my outlook on how I see myself through the eyes of the world. It doesn’t matter if we are ostracized because eagles don’t flock anyway. Let us not seek approval or comfort from the world, but rather know that we can speak boldly because the Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us. So wherever you are, if God is calling you to stay and speak, then you do just that. Know that He is with you and that He loves you. Know that He has put His Word on the line. Also realize that you can do nothing in the flesh. God’s Spirit does the work and gets the glory. You are a vessel and a partaker but you are not the author or the recipient. Allow God to use you for the saving of souls. Don’t be afraid to speak and don’t be afraid to be different.

I pray that God delivers you from fear and baptizes you in love and boldness.