Biblical Definition of Courage: Trusting God in Every Situation
- Jack Selcher
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Summary
The biblical definition of courage is not the absence of fear, but active obedience rooted in trust in God’s character, promises, power, and presence. From Joshua to Paul, courage grows when believers rely on God rather than circumstances or people. God’s presence empowers action, His promises sustain confidence, and time with Christ strengthens faith. True courage comes from trusting God and stepping forward in obedience despite fear.
Tanasia Grant threw her two young daughters from a third-story window to escape a fire at Georgetown Oak Apartments in Georgia, on April 12, 2026. Two police officers caught them.1 Although she was afraid, she trusted the officers to catch them and acted accordingly. That story illustrates the biblical concept of courage.
Biblical Definition of Courage
Biblically courageous people obey God despite fear because of their deep-rooted trust in God’s character, trustworthiness, faithfulness to His promises, power, and presence. Faith, not fearlessness, fuels courage.
Strength From God’s Presence
The promise of God’s ongoing presence as the Good Shepherd spurs courage to take the first obedient step. Moses first challenged all Israel, and then Joshua repeatedly, to be strong and courageous in their conquest of the Promised Land because the Lord was with them (Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:23, Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:7, Joshua 1:9). The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh told Joshua the same thing (Joshua 1:18).
Courage in Conquest and Conflict
After the five Amorite kings were killed, Joshua encouraged the Israelites to act courageously, depending on God to give them victories in their conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 10:25).
Fear When Trust Is Misplaced
By contrast, the Amorite and Canaanite kings lost their courage and were paralyzed with fear because they heard that the Lord had dried up the Jordan River so the Israelites could cross it (Joshua 5:1). Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, lost courage when he heard Abner had died in Hebron because his confidence was in a man and not in God (2 Samuel 4:1).
Courage Built on God’s Promises
David’s prayer for God to establish his house was anchored in his confidence that God’s promises are trustworthy (2 Samuel 7:27, 1 Chronicles 17:25). David instructed his son, Solomon, to be strong and courageous in the construction of the temple and leading the nation because God would give him the discretion and understanding to walk in His ways (1 Chronicles 22:13) and be with him (1 Chronicles 28:20).
Courage to Stand for Righteousness
King Asa took courage and removed idols from Judah and Benjamin when he heard the words of Azariah the prophet that God would be with him if he obeyed (2 Chronicles 15:8). He believed God was as good as His word.
Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord confronted King Uzziah for wrongly burning incense on the altar of incense because they knew the Lord was with them for standing for what was right (2 Chronicles 26:17).
Courage Through Christ and Daily Faith
Hezekiah, the king of Judah, told the people of Jerusalem, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him” (2 Chronicles 32:7). The Assyrians had vastly greater numbers, but God’s people had vastly greater power with them because God was on their side.
Ezra gained courage because he saw God obviously working through the heart of King Artaxerxes to bring honor to the Lord’s house in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:28).
When Jesus’ disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified, thinking that He was a ghost. He told them to take courage and not fear because He was now with them (Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50).
Being with Jesus causes ordinary people’s courage to grow. Peter and John spent three years with Him, and we can spend time with Him in Scripture reading and prayer daily (Acts 4:13). Our courage grows as our confidence in God’s power increases (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Jesus exhorted Paul to be courageous because His plan for Paul was to testify about Him in Rome. Jesus has also planned good deeds for us to do courageously (Acts 23:11). Like Paul, we need courage to exalt Christ in all circumstances (Philippians 1:20).
Paul told his fellow storm-tossed passengers to keep up their courage because God promised no one would be lost with only the ship being destroyed, and Paul trusted God to fulfill His promise (Acts 27:22, Acts 27:25).
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