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How to Have Boldness

By Paul M. Sadler

Scripture Reading:
"And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
-- Ephesians 6:19,20
In our modern day there is a great demand for instant success.  We read frequently of how many have risen to fame and fortune practically overnight.  Seldom, however, do we hear of the hours of labor, practice, sacrifice and discipline it took to build that career.  Most times we only hear and see the end result.  Many have been deceived and disillusioned to think that they can have fame and fortune with little or no effort.

In these days in which we live, the world seems to have a powerful influence over the lives of many believers.  For this reason many members of the Body of Christ are looking for that book, conference or seminar that will be a shortcut to spiritual maturity.  When it comes to our spiritual lives and having boldness of faith we want instant results with little or no effort put into it.  As a Pastor, I would have to say that to have boldness in the faith as the Apostle says, there must be three key ingredients.

Time: Just as physical growth takes years, spiritual growth also takes time.  As we come to spiritual maturity we become more and more confident to speak out for the Lord.  It takes time to learn that we have to take our eyes off of ourselves which causes us to be reluctant to speak because of the fear of men.

Discipline: It takes discipline to sit down with the Word of God and study to acquire a knowledge of the Scriptures.  We don't mean just reading the Bible devotionally.  It is said that we retain only about 20 percent of what we read.  But, if we read and study, we retain about 60 percent when comparing Scripture with Scripture.  The better equipped you are in the Word of God the more comfortable you will be to share the truth, rightly divided.

Consistency: If we are to gain the respect of others in order to more effectively minister the gospel, we must be consistent with the truth.  
Don't sound an uncertain trumpet, be able to substantiate what you teach with the Blessed Book.  Not only should we speak the truth in love consistently, we must also live the truth. Our lives are the only Bibles some men see.  That's why the Apostle Paul warns us to put "away lying, [and] speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25). True boldness in the faith does not come naturally, it is something we grow into as we increase in the knowledge of Him Who has called us into the glorious light.


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I think you're right Bro Love. It does come with spiritual maturity. It also comes as a result of the empowering of the Holy Spirirt though. Lets not leave Him out of this! It is only Him who can convict men of sin!

Notice that Peter, who had denied Jesus previously and had acted as a cowardly man ( as we all probably would without the Holy Spirit) was able to speak boldly after the Holy Spirirt came at pentecost. What a change! He preached a powerful sermon!

37 ¶  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.


It seems that Peter must have been reasonably well versed in scripture, but the power to witness effectively did not come until he was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Ghost who gave him strength, boldness and authority.. not anything he could learn or concoct himself, no matter how long he spent studying.

Thanks Bern,   :)