Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:Confidence, in a biblical context, refers to a firm trust or belief in God and His promises. It is an assurance that stems from faith in God's character, His Word, and His faithfulness. Confidence is not self-reliance but a reliance on God, acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness.
Biblical Foundation:The Bible frequently addresses the concept of confidence, often linking it to faith and trust in God. Confidence is portrayed as a virtue that believers should cultivate, rooted in the understanding of God's nature and His covenant with His people.
Key Scriptures:1.
Philippians 1:6 · "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This verse emphasizes the believer's confidence in God's ongoing work in their lives, assuring them of His commitment to their spiritual growth and ultimate salvation.
2.
Hebrews 10:35-36 · "So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Here, confidence is linked to perseverance and the fulfillment of God's promises, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.
3.
Proverbs 3:26 · "for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare." This verse highlights the protective aspect of confidence in God, assuring believers of His guidance and safety.
4.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 · "Such confidence before God is ours through Christ. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God." This passage underscores that true confidence is not self-derived but is granted through Christ, emphasizing dependence on God's sufficiency.
Theological Implications:Confidence in the biblical sense is deeply theological, as it is intertwined with the doctrines of God's sovereignty, providence, and faithfulness. It reflects a believer's understanding of God's unchanging nature and His eternal purposes. Confidence is both a gift and a response to God's revelation, cultivated through prayer, study of Scripture, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate confidence through:
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Prayer and Communion with God: Regular prayer strengthens trust in God, allowing believers to express their dependence on Him and seek His guidance.
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Studying Scripture: Engaging with the Bible reinforces the promises of God, providing a foundation for confidence in His plans and purposes.
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Community and Fellowship: Being part of a faith community offers support and encouragement, helping believers to maintain their confidence in God through shared experiences and testimonies.
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Obedience and Faithfulness: Living in obedience to God's commands and being faithful in small things builds confidence, as believers witness God's faithfulness in their lives.
Challenges to Confidence:Believers may face challenges to their confidence, such as doubt, fear, and external circumstances. The Bible acknowledges these struggles but encourages believers to overcome them by focusing on God's promises and His past faithfulness.
Conclusion:Confidence, as presented in the Bible, is a profound trust in God that transcends circumstances. It is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, enabling believers to live boldly and with assurance in God's eternal promises.
Topical Bible Verses
Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Topicalbible.orgRomans 2:19
And are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
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Ephesians 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
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Psalm 27:3
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
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2 Corinthians 5:6
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
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Philippians 1:14
And many of the brothers in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
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Library
Philippians i. 1, 2
... Ver.6. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which began a good work
in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ."....
Concerning Perseverance, and the Possibility of Falling from Grace...
... allege, Philippians 1:6.Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, &c....
Fighting the Good Fight of Faith
... Instead ofbeing confident with the confidence that true faith gives, they are all
the time fearful. They are never certain they are going to win....
Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... Jesus has borne the wrath of God for them: how can they helpbeing confident?
They... How can they helpbeing confident in him? To...
Matt. xxi. 12, 13
... "For not this only shall ye do, but also shall remove mountains; and many more things
shall ye do,being confident in faith and prayer." [2527]....
Hebrews xi. 7
... whose builder and maker is God." Seest thou that they received them in this sense,
in their already accepting them andbeing confident respecting them....
Acts xxviii. 17-20
... Mod. text. "But now, notbeing confident they shrunk from coming; especially as
by their frequent attempting, they showed that they were notconfident."....
Written from Rome
... always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship
in the gospel from the first day until now;being confident of this...
The Afterglow
... for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;being confident
of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it...
Colossians iii. 18-25
... For hear him saying, "So that most of the brethrenbeing confident through my bonds
are more abundantly bold to speak the word without fear." (Philip....
Resources
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