What does it Take to be Bold as a Lion
What Does It Take to Be "Bold as a Lion"? Lessons from Intentional Discipleship
"A lion doesn't roar to prove it's dangerous. It roars because it knows exactly who it is."
The righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1.
Five simple words. One revolutionary truth.
But what does lion-like boldness actually look like in 2026? What separates authentic spiritual courage from religious noise?
The answer transforms everything we think we know about boldness.
THE PARADOX: FEAR CREATES FEARLESSNESS
Real boldness begins with fear. Not terror. Reverence.
The fear of the Lord = the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
This isn't cowering. This is clarity. When you understand who God is, you understand who you're not. When you grasp His power, you stop depending on yours.
Fear of the Lord → Confidence in God → Boldness in life.
The disciples demonstrate this equation perfectly. Before Pentecost? Hiding behind locked doors. After receiving the Spirit? Standing before the same authorities who crucified Jesus, declaring: "We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).
What changed? Their reference point shifted from human approval to divine authority.
Echo: When you fear God, you fear nothing else.
SECURITY OVER AGGRESSION
Lions don't pace. They rest.
Biblical boldness isn't frantic energy or loud arguments. It's settled security. The righteous stand firm because they're standing on something firm.
Consider Jesus before Pilate. No defending. No pleading. No panic. Just truth, spoken with quiet authority: "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above" (John 19:11).
That's lion-like boldness.
Aggressive behavior = insecurity demanding validation. Bold behavior = security requiring no explanation.
The wicked flee when no one pursues them (Proverbs 28:1a). Why? Guilt creates imaginary enemies. Compromise breeds constant anxiety. When your conscience carries weight, your steps carry fear.
But righteousness? It walks with confident steps. Clear conscience. Clean heart. No ghosts to outrun.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS FACTOR
Boldness without righteousness is just noise.
True disciples understand this equation: Righteousness + God's Strength = Unshakeable Boldness.
Paul captures this perfectly: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Not through willpower. Not through personality. Through Christ.
This changes how we approach intentional discipleship:
Instead of: "Be more confident!" We teach: "Be more righteous."
Instead of: "Speak louder!" We model: "Speak truth."
Instead of: "Don't be afraid!" We ground: "Fear God above all."
Pause: The boldest people you know aren't the loudest. They're the most surrendered.
LESSONS FROM INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
What does lion-like boldness look like in practical discipleship?
1. GROUNDED IN TRUTH
Bold disciples know the Word. Not just verses: principles. Not just information: transformation.
"How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word" (Psalm 119:9).
Truth → Confidence → Boldness.
When you're anchored in Scripture, cultural waves don't move you. Popular opinions don't shake you. You stand on bedrock, not sand.
2. DEPENDENT ON STRENGTH BEYOND THEIR OWN
The disciples had no formal education. No political connections. No financial backing. But they had something else: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
Being with Jesus = receiving His boldness.
This is why discipleship isn't about building self-confidence. It's about building Christ-confidence.
3. TEACHABLE YET UNCOMPROMISING
Bold disciples remain open to correction while staying closed to compromise.
They ask questions: "Am I understanding this correctly?" They don't negotiate: "This is what Scripture says."
Teachability = humility. Uncompromising = holiness. Both together = boldness.
THE PRACTICAL PATHWAY
How do we cultivate this lion-like boldness through intentional discipleship?
Week 1-4: Foundation Building
- Study the fear of the Lord daily (Proverbs, Psalms)
- Practice confessing sin immediately (clear conscience)
- Memorize identity verses (who you are in Christ)
Week 5-8: Strength Training
- Fast weekly to build spiritual muscle
- Take prayer walks, speaking God's promises aloud
- Share testimony with one person per week
Week 9-12: Bold Application
- Speak truth in one difficult conversation
- Take a stand on one compromised area
- Step into one leadership opportunity
Week 13+: Lifestyle Integration
- Make righteousness your daily pursuit
- Choose God's approval over human acceptance
- Live from security, not for security
Remember: Bold disciples aren't born. They're built.
SPEAKING BOLDLY IN 2026
This year demands lion-hearted followers of Jesus. Not because the culture is getting louder. Because the truth is getting clearer.
The contrast is sharpening. Light versus darkness. Truth versus deception. Boldness versus cowardice.
Where will you stand?
The righteous are as bold as a lion because they know three things:
- Whose they are (God's beloved children)
- What they have (Christ's strength within them)
- Where they're going (eternal security in heaven)
Identity + Power + Destiny = Unshakeable Boldness.
MY COMMITMENT FOR BOLD 2026:
My heart will echo with reverence for the Lord. My steps will reflect righteous choices. My words will carry divine authority. My life will demonstrate lion-like boldness.
Not because I'm brave. Because I belong to the Lion of Judah.
The righteous are as bold as a lion.
It's time to roar.
Ready to join our Bold 2026 movement? Connect with us and discover how intentional discipleship can ignite lion-like confidence in your walk with God.
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