How to be Bold for God

Could you, um, just be a little less sheepish when you talk about God, maybe? Hold on. Let me restate that. Be bold for God.

We’ve got to get over ourselves and the fear holding us back from representing our King.

Drop the False Humility

I had the pleasure of meeting Pastor Tom Lane from Gateway Church (GatewayPeople.com) yesterday at a staff meeting at The Crossing (TheCrossing.cc is under the apostolic covering of Gateway). Somewhere in the mix of a devotional and answering questions, he said something that blew my mind.

“Jesus did not participate in self-deprecation.”

In the Son of God’s humility and meekness, He wasn’t negative about Himself and didn’t belittle what God was doing through Him. I often wonder at how we’re supposed to identify with Christ more than anyone else in the Bible. Afterall, we are new creations in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). We no longer live, but Jesus lives in us (Gal. 2:20).

So why don’t I speak like Him? Why is my go-to humor self-deprecation? Why am I scared to offend, limiting truth with hedging words, assuming rejection, and worst of all diminishing God’s work in me by not pointing it out? This is entirely different than my Brother’s humility.

Teach with Authority

They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

—Mark 1:22 (NASB)

I’m so honored I’ve had opportunities to teach at the church, small groups, and our prison ministry. When I began preaching I had no idea how mealy-mouthed I was. I apologize to everyone who heard me! Learning to edit opened my eyes to the rarity of my bold proclamations.

I have to laugh at a friend of mine’s skeptic perspective, but it helps me recognize when I use words like, “I think…”, “… sort of”, and “Maybe…” My weak statements are meaningless to him. It’s a running joke between us, but I’m thankful for the accountability.

It’s with great focus and effort that I’ve increased in teaching with authority. I still have a long way to go on this journey. But we—who carry the truth within us—must communicate clearly and boldly. Consider the value of the message. It’s not about us.

The question we need to answer is, are we giving Him the glory He deserves? That’s the weird thing about “humility.” In our effort to get out of the way, we muddy our reflection of God.

Pray to be Bold for God

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

—Ephesians 6:18-20 (NASB)

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.“

—Acts 4:29 (NLT)

Like the apostles, who recognized their need, pray for boldness. I’m praying for you reading this, please pray for me too. Let’s believe God will grant our request. Step out in faith, with the humility of Christ, and be bold for God!