Proverbs 28.1
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
This proverb makes a contrast between the wicked and the righteous as it relates to fear and boldness. No one is as cowardly as those that carry around a guilty conscience. Their guilty consciences cause them to run from imagined pursuers. By contrast, the righteous are as confident and bold as a lion.
The Bible mentions the word lion 155 times in the Old Testament alone. Proverbs 30:30 describes the lion as “mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing.” Known as “the king of beasts,” he is a symbol of courage and confidence. With such a reputation for power and might, it is no surprise that God uses this majestic animal to describe the demeanor He expects from His children.
Be bold in approaching God. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4.12)
Our source of boldness is knowing who we are in Christ. Because of what Jesus has done for us at the cross, He invites us to come freely into the presence of God without condemnation, without insecurity, and without the fear of not being heard.
Ephesians 3:12 says, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” That means Jesus paved the way between us and the throne room of God. Fellowship with Him is an essential part of the covenant that Jesus died to secure.
Be bold in confession and repentance. Throughout our life we will battle against sin and the sin nature. As part of that battle, the Lord invites us (indeed commands us) to confess our sin and repent. Just a few verses later in this same chapter of Proverbs we read, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28.13)
Psalms emphasizes the need for confession: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Psalm 32.5)
So does the New Testament: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1.9).
Be bold in acting on the Word of God. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1.22). The Lord gave us His word with the intent we read it, hear it, read it, and obey it. His word doesn’t give us advice; it gives us directives and commands.
Be bold in sharing the truth. After telling the Christians in Ephesus to put on the whole armor of God, Paul asks them to pray for his boldness: “And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
So it should be for the followers of Christ. We should speak the truth clearly, boldly, and with wisdom.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4.5-6)
