Cowardice is generally understood to be a lack of courage. It is the opposite of bravery. When we think about what the Bible says about cowardice, we can find key verses that help us understand this topic. Let’s explore them in more detail below.
What Are Some Examples of Cowardice?
Some examples of cowardice would be if someone is afraid to stand up for what they believe in or if they are afraid to speak out against injustice. Cowardice can also manifest as a refusal to take risks or try new things. It can even be something as simple as being afraid of the dark.
Cowardice is often linked to a lack of faith. This is because cowards usually fear things they cannot see or control. They lack faith in themselves and their ability to overcome whatever they are afraid of.
Bible Verses about Cowardice
There are a few key verses in the Bible that mention cowardice specifically. These verses are:
1. Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
This verse stresses that those who are cowardly will not inherit the kingdom of God. They will be sentenced to hellfire, along with sorcerers, murderers, sexually immoral, vile people, idolaters, and liars. This is because cowardice is the opposite of faith. Faith in God means trusting Him even when we don’t understand what He is doing. It takes courage to do this, and cowardice is the antithesis of that.
2. Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
God will deny cowards entry to Heaven because they never did the will of God. But what is the will of God? The will of God is to love Him and to love others. It’s simple, yet so many people live in fear instead of love.
Because of this, many people will end up in hell. Hell is a place of torment and fire where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42). It was not created for human beings, but for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Cowardice ultimately leads to eternal separation from God. That is why overcoming your fears and trusting in God is important. He is the only one who can give you true peace and security.
3. Proverbs 28:1
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
This verse emphasizes how God sees brave people. Cowardice is not something that we must show. Instead, we should be like lions and face our fears head-on. We should not let anything or anyone control us out of fear. When we are always fearful, we do not completely trust God. But when we are brave, we let God control our lives.
4. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
This verse emphasizes that wherever we go, in whatever we do, God is always with us. He promises never to leave or forsake us. So, next time you’re in a difficult spot, let this verse remind you that you can always choose to be brave. And it is possible because God has got your back.
5. Luke 9:26
“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
God will never recognize those afraid to speak up about their faith. This means it takes courage to be a follower of Christ, but it will be worth it in the end. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness when we stand before God one day. And it would be such an honor to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
What Makes Christians Cowards?
The main thing that would make Christians cowards is when we deny Christ. This is because denying Christ is the same as denying ourselves. If we are not willing to stand up for what we believe in, then we don’t really believe it. And if we don’t believe it, then why should anyone else?
Remaining silent when we should speak up because we are afraid of what others might think or say is also cowardice. A great example is when we see someone living in sin without remorse, and instead of warning them, we try to stay silent out of fear of offending them.
This does nothing but enables them to continue in their sin. It also shows that we are more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
If we are afraid to confess our sins, how can we expect to help someone else confess theirs? We should be willing to humble ourselves and admit when we have done wrong. Only then can we offer true forgiveness and reconciliation.
It surely takes courage to stand for what is right, speak the truth, and love others. But that is what God has called us to do–to be brave, bold, and loving.
Who Were Considered Cowards in the Bible?
The word “coward” first appears in the Bible in Deuteronomy 32:25, where Moses says of the Israelites, “They were filled with a spirit of cowardice.” This may not seem flattering, but it’s not as bad as it sounds. Moses is saying that the Israelites were afraid to fight their enemies. This shows their lack of faith in God’s ability to see them through the battle.
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself became a victim of cowardice. One of His disciples, Peter, denied knowing Him three times out of fear of being arrested. This act of cowardice led to Peter’s repentance and eventual restoration.
While there are many examples of cowardice in the Bible, there are also stories of courage. One such story is that of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. In this story, we see that God is more than willing to give us the courage to overcome our fears.
As humans, it’s normal to be afraid of so many things. And yet, we must always remember that we have an ever-present God who is always willing to listen and who is also always willing to provide guidance. Therefore, we must not let cowardice take over our lives and hinder us from living out God’s purposes.
What Does God Have to Say about Overcomers?
Overcomers are those who have faced their fears and conquered them. The Bible has a lot to say about them because God knows that fear can be a crippling emotion. It can prevent us from living our best lives and achieving all God has planned for us. Some Bible verses that talk about overcomers include the following:
- “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
- “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (John 16:33)
- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 18:33)
God is greater than our fears. When we focus on Him, we can face anything. Plus, we must also remember that God is just one prayer away. If we take courage from the fact that God is an ever-present help in times of trouble (Hebrews 13:15-16), we can face anything that comes our way.
Speaking the Truth of Scripture
1 Timothy 4:1-2, 6 says, “Now the Spirit [of God] expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine”.
As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth of Scripture, calling sin what it is and acknowledging that it has always been a part of human nature. This is not just a debate about homosexuality or abortion; all sin is evil, and we are guilty of it. All over the world, more people misunderstand God’s word, leading them to sin more. We need to speak the truth so people may realize their need for a Savior.
Pastors, church leaders, and all who call themselves Christians must be courageous in their words and actions. The world needs to see that we are not afraid to stand up for what is right, even when it means being persecuted. Christ himself was persecuted and killed because he stood up for the truth. Let us follow his example and be courageous in our words and actions.
We will falter if we lack the endurance to withstand criticism or persecution. If we do not have the courage given to us by God to stand firm in our beliefs, the world cannot be saved from Satan’s seducing spirit.
The Bible says: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5).
As Christians, our hope shines as a light in the darkness – even amidst great trials and suffering. And this hope keeps us going because we know that, ultimately, good will triumph over evil, and Christ will reign victorious. So let us never give up hope, but instead, let us be ever steadfast in our faithfulness to Him – no matter the cost.
What Usually Happens to Cowards?
Cowardice is manifested in different ways, but most often, it’s simply a failure to act. It’s an avoidance of risk or difficult situations. And usually, cowardice doesn’t result in positive outcomes.
In the business world, for example, a cowardly leader will make decisions based on what’s safest rather than best for the company. This can lead to stagnation and a lack of innovation. In personal relationships, cowardice can manifest as avoidance of conflict or difficult conversations. This can result in unresolved issues and resentment.
On a larger scale, cowardice can lead to disastrous consequences. For example, during World War II, millions were killed because leaders failed to act courageously in the face of evil. Because of this, cowardice is often seen as one of the most destructive forces in the world.
Because cowardice often leads to negative outcomes, the most common is failure. But cowardice can also lead to much more serious consequences, such as death or destruction. That’s why the Bible has a lot to say about cowardice.
Based on the verses highlighted above, it is clear that those who manifest cowardice are often met with negative consequences. This is because cowardice leads to a failure to act, which can then lead to all sorts of problems. It is important to be courageous and take risks to avoid these negative consequences. What the Bible says about cowardice should serve as a warning to us all.
Some of the most common consequences that cowards face are:
- Failure
- Unresolved issues
- Stagnation
- Destruction
Because of these negative consequences, it is important to be courageous and take risks. Even though it might not be easy, facing our fears and acting courageously is worth it.
How Can We Mirror Jesus’ Bravery?
There is no denying that Jesus was a brave man. He wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in, even when it put him in danger. So how can we mirror His bravery?
The first step is understanding what the Bible says about cowardice. In short, the Bible calls cowardice a sin. This is because cowards lack faith. They are afraid to trust God and put their lives in His hands.
Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” This verse reminds us that we must be honest with God about our fears. We need to confess our cowardice and ask for His help.
The next step is to take action. This may mean doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared. But remember, God is with you always. He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:16). So we must trust Him and be brave!
We must also be willing to suffer for our beliefs. Jesus suffered greatly for His faith, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps (Matthew 16:24). This doesn’t mean that we should go out looking for trouble. But it does mean that we shouldn’t be afraid to speak the truth, even when it isn’t popular.
Suffering for our beliefs can be difficult, but it is worth it. When we are brave, we honor God and can also be a light in this dark world. We can show others that they don’t have to be afraid. They can put their trust in God, too. So let us follow Jesus’ example and be brave!
Physical acts of heroism do not always manifest bravery. It can also be shown in more subtle ways, like standing up for what is right even when it’s unpopular. In Jesus’ case, bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice. He was willing to die for our sins so we could have eternal life–a beautiful example of bravery.
As imperfect beings, it’s not always easy to be brave. We have to fight against our natural tendencies toward cowardice and self-preservation. But we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us always. He will give us the strength we need to overcome our fears. So let us be brave and put our trust in Him!
Will Cowards Be Able To Enter Heaven?
Yes, the Bible clearly shows that even the coward have a chance for redemption. In Revelation 21:27, we read, “Only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter heaven.” What does this tell us? It tells us that there is hope for everyone, no matter how great their sin is. So, if you are a coward, know that there is still hope for you. The Bible doesn’t promise that it will be easy, but it does promise that it is possible.
But what about those who have never had the opportunity to be brave? What about those who have always lived in fear?
The Bible tells us that God is not interested in our earthly acts of bravery or cowardice. What matters to Him is the condition of our hearts. If we have a heart that fears Him and seeks to please Him, He will be pleased whether we are cowardly or brave.
So if you find yourself feeling cowardly, don’t despair. God knows your heart, and He loves you just the same. Seek His strength and courage, and you will find it.
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” -Deuteronomy 31:16-17 NKJV.
Bottom Line
While cowardice is not something to be celebrated, it is essential to remember that everyone makes mistakes. Our mistakes do not define us. What matters most is how we respond to our mistakes. Do we learn from them and grow? Or do we let them keep us down?
The Bible has much to say about cowardice, and much of it is not flattering. However, some verses offer hope and encouragement. No matter how often we fail, God is always there to pick us up and help us try again. So don’t be discouraged if you’ve been cowardly in the past. God loves you, and He wants to help you overcome your fear.
