Articles And Stories
Being Brave in a World of Nice
Bravery is not simply a suggestion implied through scripture. It's an explicit command. The trouble is, for many, bravery is an ethereal concept. It is something imagined rather than tangibly seen or experienced.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Scripture contains many stories of bravery and characters who embody courage. Today, more than ever, our kids need to learn bravery. I want to point out two concepts that help fuel moral courage: knowledge and ability. These two components are essential for God-honoring bravery. Knowing why something is right or wrong fuels courage and is often the difference between righteous and reckless bravery. We see this truth in the lives of the heroes of the Bible. David took up the call to fight Goliath, not because he was eager to see a battle, as his brother accused, but because the giant blasphemed against the living God. David's understanding of who God was and what he desired fueled his courage to fight the giant. David's knowledge and his God-given ability allowed him to conquer the giant for God's Glory.
Courage Fueled By Understanding
Our kids' must be driven by the proper knowledge of God and his commandments. The imparting of this knowledge must be the drive and mission of every Christian parent (Deuteronomy 11:19, Ephesians 6:4). Kids must know why something is right or wrong, and that comes through daily instruction. But don't think of teaching your kids about God the same way you learned Algebra, where you're taught it once, take a test, and never worry about it again. The Biblical mandate of instructing children is through a lifestyle of constantly living before Him (Deuteronomy 6). Christian kids should not wonder who God is and what He desires for them and the world. This knowledge will fuel their bravery because they'll know, as David knew, that they serve the undefeated Almighty God.
Knowledge Meets Ability
If knowledge is the gasoline that powers the engine of bravery, one's ability is the wheels that move it forward. This point doesn't necessarily mean raising your kids as MMA fighters or Indiana Jones-like courage is a prerequisite to God-glorifying parenting. The ability to be brave doesn't mean seeking out a fight. It knows what fight is worth fighting and is quick to engage when it is correct. Sometimes fighting the right fight means physically standing up for the defenseless. It could also mean intercepting or deflecting a fiery dart coming in the form of a gossip text. God has given us the tools to be physically brave. He endowed young men with testosterone and muscles, empowering them to be protectors and providers. Young women are given spiritual discernment and nurturing to care for and support the downtrodden. It is a great shame to allow God-given physical and mental attributes to go into entropy behind the distractible delight of donuts and Doritos, Instagram, or countless hours of video games.
Being Brave in a World of Niceness
Another obstacle to bravery is the false idol of niceness and tolerance at all costs. God doesn't admonish Joshua to be nice and tolerant, but rather strong and courageous. This distinction identifies that your kids will be in a battle. A Christian has enemies. And while these enemies are not physical people, they are spiritual. The thoughts and actions of men and women living in and loving the darkness are influenced by demonic ideologies and principalities. While the person themself is not our key enemy, the demonic ideas and the actions they are peddling certainly are. (Ephesian 6:12). Even within the church, we are warned against doctrines and antichrists coming who will directly come against Christ and His gospel (1 John 2:18–20). The main point with all of this is that there is a battle. The battle is often over the mind and hearts of the kids. Being taught to be nice and tolerant at all costs can be damaging. It could cause a person to struggle to find the ability to fight the right fight at the right time. It is enough to say "being nice" or "tolerant" must not hinder the command to be strong and courageous.
There is a difference between modern niceness and kindness. You might read this and be afraid that your kids will grow up to be jerks unless you continually tell them to be nice. While it is the responsibility of parents to teach their kids how to love and respect their neighbor, the greatest thing you can teach them is not how to be nice; it is to know God. The Bible clearly shows the effectiveness of raising children to know and love God (Proverbs 22:6). When we continually teach our kids who God is, are wretchedness, and of His amazing grace, we are laying dry kindling on their hearts. Salvation comes from God. He is the one who lights the spark of salvation, but how much hotter and brighter will that fire catch when we, as parents, raise kids to know God? When our kids know God and are alive by his Spirit, kindness will generate in their hearts. We can show kindness while being brave, but enduring kindness is the product of the Holy Spirit. Genuine kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, and temporal niceness is a work of the flesh. Don't snuff out the fighting spirit in your young boys and girls by forcing them to be "nice."
Courageously living for Christ, knowing it could cost you everything, is bravery. For this to happen, our Biblical morality and physical abilities must be sharp, well-in-tuned, and ready for action. Culture desires to dull the senses and makes a horrid teacher of God's will. We must continually have our minds and hearts in God's word through preaching and private study. Has he not commanded us? Be strong and courageous. Live for Jesus, for the glory of God.