A Study on Courage Part 2

By David McFadden

A Biblical Study on Courage

In Part 1, we learned how much the Bible has to say about courage. We learned that courage is faith-based and imbues a firm conviction and vision of the moral high ground. Courage is derived from deep-seated conviction that people have great intrinsic value, a biblical concept. We also know from Hebrews 11:6 that “…without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith is the primary driver of courage because it engenders and defines right choices that please God. Therefore, possessing courage and acting in courage encompasses both of the Greatest Commandments as defined by Jesus—loving God and loving people.

We also learned that the opposite of courage is cowardice which is fear-based. Fear engenders cowardice. The author and source of fear is Satan, who is also known as the father of lies. Satan wants to prevent you from making a courageous decision that honors God. Satan will use fear to lead you down the path of least resistance. Satan will always steer you away from making a courageous decision to take the moral high ground. Today we are going to look at a synonym of courage, which the Bible also mentions many times.

Encouragement

“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” —Romans 12:8 NLT

 Encouragement simply means to impart courage; to build up, to edify, to enable another person to have strength of faith. Among the most important needs a person has is to be affirmed, accepted and loved. A person cannot thrive without these needs being met. Encouraging others is a major part of how we positively relate to others so that they can feel affirmed, accepted and loved. God wants your human relationships healthy and life-giving. Encouraging each other helps our relationships thrive. Romans 1:12 says it this way, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Affirmation through encouragement can be as simple as giving a smile and a few positive words of reassurance, words of approval or even a compliment. Other times we have to reach much deeper for the courage to meet another person’s primary needs—it can take courage to impart courage. For instance, it can take extreme courage and selflessness to save a dysfunctional marriage or win back a wayward teenager. It takes God-given strength of courage step up and acknowledge God’s love in the midst of despair and shed His light in the darkness.

As a genuine Christian, we know that God is all about relationships.

First and foremost is our personal relationship with Him, for His love enables, promotes and draws us into every godly virtue. God knows that if He can woo us into a relationship with Him, He can give us everything we need to thrive and prosper. In other words, He wants to know you intimately, and He wants you to know Him intimately. From our intimate relationship with God, He enables us to love others with a higher capacity than humanly possible.

This higher capacity to love gives us a greater measure of courage that is empowered by His Holy Spirit. Courage to do what? To bless Him, to glorify Him, to please Him, to honor Him. How?

By obeying Him and walking in His ways—His Word is Life-giving! 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 tells us, “We urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.”

Summary: Courage is a gift that we must develop and exercise by implementing His Word in faith. Encouraging others is a biblical mandate that allows us to thrive in our relationships as we help each other grow together in faith. When we choose to live for God, and live by His principles, we become instruments in His hand to love others with His love. The result is our self-less-ness enables us to courageously extend God’s saving grace to the lost and hurting in our sphere of influence. I hope this encourages you!

Application and Transformation

Heavenly Father, thank You for looking ahead in time and seeing my need for a savior. Thank You for Jesus, who took my hand and led me to the cross where I learned to die to self. Yet, He didn’t leave me in the grave—Jesus raised me to new life by His resurrection power. LORD, I proclaim by faith that it is not I who live, but Christ lives in me so my life will bring You glory.

LORD, thank You for Your Word that leads me into all righteousness. Thank You for drawing me into a deeper relationship with You so that You can give me everything I need to thrive and prosper. Thank You for Your love that enables, promotes and draws me into every godly virtue. Help me day-by-day walk in self-less-ness to I can see others with Your eyes and love people with Your love. Teach me how to love others through Your grace so that they can feel affirmed, accepted and loved.

LORD, I ask for the extreme courage I need to step up and acknowledge Your love in the midst of despair and shed Your light in the darkness. I ask for a higher level of grace to encourage and win back the people I know who are on the brink. Help me courageously extend Your saving grace to these, and others who are lost and hurting in my sphere of influence. I glorify Your name and ask these petitions in Jesus’ precious name. Amen