Articles

Be Confident in Him

By Deacon Kofi Agyemang

When a person lacks confidence in the things he does, his chances of failure become great; and not only that, he is often unable to regain strength to try again. Your confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ is what drives you forward towards the goal regardless of what may come in your way. In the bible, all the great men and women who walked with God received his favor, and were identified as people of confidence. As a youth or young adult, you need confidence to survive in this world. You cannot go through this life without having confidence in God.

Joshua 1: 6 says :"Be strong and of a good courage for unto this people shalt there divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to you give them." The people of Israel were very stubborn and rebellious to their leader. Therefore Joshua, seeing all the acts of the people, became fearful of the responsibility that was placed before him but God told him to be bold and courageous. Someone may ask: how do you receive confidence in Him (Jesus Christ)?

1. You must be willing to receive his word and instructions as is.
Many people are trying to twist the word of God to suit their personal needs and desires- something which will lead them to destruction. Take God's word as it is and add nothing to it, and do well to take nothing out of it either. Pray about the ones that you have difficulty following. Study the word of God so that you can correctly divide the word of truth so that the devil cannot lie to you.

2. Stay away from sin
Anything that will draw you or weaken your desire or interest in the things of God must be quickly rejected.

3. Do not be yoked with those who do not share your interest in the Lord.

4. Know how the spirit of God speaks to you
When you learn to hear his voice your confidence will also grow from one level to another. Jesus said that my sheep hear my voice and they obey it. Regardless of how hard you try to follow his word and stay away from sin, if you cannot discerned the voice of God from the voice of man or the voice of the devil, all your efforts will be in vain.

5. You will grow in confidence in him once you learn to receive things with your spirit. Many Christians are suffering under this concept but John 3:6 says, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of spirit is spirit." God only speaks to our spirit and not our mind or intellect, for the bible says that God is a spirit and we must worship him in spirit and truth for he seeks such worshippers. As you learn to listen to him your confidence in him will also grow.

6. Draw your inspiration and enjoyment from him.
What gives you inspiration or enjoyment? They are the things that build you and give you strength as a human being. If your desires are godly, they will drive you forward towards God.

7. Always know that whatever you are passing through, no condition is permanent. Ezekiel 21:26-27 Amplified "Thus says the Lord God: Remove the [high priest's] miter or headband and take off the [king's] crown; things shall not remain as they have been; the low is to be exalted and the high is to be brought low. I will overthrow, overthrow, overthrow it; this also shall be no more until He comes whose right it is [to reign in judgment and in righteousness], and I will give it to Him." The Lord said to the people "it shall not remain the same as it has been" to boast up the confidence and trust of his people.

You must always know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This will help you stand for Jesus in whatever situation you pass through. Always remember that it shall not remain the same as it has been for Philippians 1:6 states: being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.