Confidence is an important virtue that is discussed throughout the Bible. At its core, biblical confidence is rooted in faith and trust in God rather than in oneself. The Bible makes it clear that true confidence comes from recognizing our dependence on God and finding our identity in Him. Here is an overview of some of the key things the Bible says about confidence:
True confidence is found in the Lord, not in man
The Bible warns against putting confidence in man rather than in God. Passages like Psalm 118:8-9 state, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Rather than self-confidence, our trust and reliance should be fully on the Lord. As Psalm 40:4 states, “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!”
Self-confidence apart from God is foolishness
Proverbs 28:26 declares, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Trusting in our own understanding and believing in our own sufficiency apart from God is foolishness. True wisdom and confidence come from fearing the Lord and recognizing our need for Him.
Confidence in God brings stability and strength
Isaiah 30:15 says, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Confidence in the Lord provides stability, strength, and salvation. Rather than relying on our own unstable feelings, the unwavering character of God can give us confidence in all circumstances. As Psalm 125:1 states, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
Humbly boasting in the Lord brings confidence
Biblical confidence involves humbly boasting in what the Lord has done rather than in our own merits. As Jeremiah 9:23-24 states, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.” When our identity and sufficiency are found in Christ, we can have confidence in Him.
Confidence grows through trials and trusting God
As believers walk with Christ through difficulties while trusting in His sovereignty and goodness, their confidence in God is strengthened. Romans 5:3-4 expresses, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Suffering trials righteously produces proven character and hope in the Lord.
Confidence comes through prayer and God’s Word
Praying to God and immersing ourselves in Scripture build our confidence in Him. As we see God’s faithfulness in answering prayers and behold His truth, we gain greater confidence in His character. Philippians 1:6 expresses this confidence: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Confidence in Christ dispels fear
Trusting in the Lord helps believers not to be controlled by fear. Romans 8:31 declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Knowing God is on our side gives confidence to face every challenge. 2 Timothy 1:7 affirms, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Confidence in God drives out fear.
Cultivating patience and godly living increases confidence
As we patiently wait on the Lord and seek to live righteously, our assurance in Him will grow. James 1:2-4 states, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Patience amid trials produces maturity and confidence.
Pride and self-sufficiency destroy godly confidence
Pride is the opposite of the humility and God-dependence that fuels biblical confidence. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). As 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Arrogance and self-reliance ultimately undermine our stability and confidence.
Confidence grows by keeping our eyes fixed on Christ
Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts us to run the race of faith by “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Fixing our eyes on Christ strengthens endurance and confidence in our walk with God.
True confidence comes from the Holy Spirit working within us
Our human confidence is feeble, but the Holy Spirit produces His fruit of goodness, faithfulness, and self-control within believers (Galatians 5:22-23). Zechariah 4:6 expresses, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” The Spirit gives inner strength and supernatural confidence.
Believers are called to walk by confident faith, not sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 declares, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Genuine faith requires confident trust in God for what we cannot yet see. Hebrews 11 commends many saints who persevered in confidence by faith “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
Jesus Christ is the ultimate foundation for confidence
Every believer can have unshakable confidence through faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 3:14 states, “For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Our confidence is in Jesus alone. As Hebrews 10:35 encourages, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” Clinging to Christ brings eternal reward and confidence.
Confidence in God brings joy and peace
Trusting the Lord with our whole hearts fills us with joy and peace. As Isaiah 26:3 expresses, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Centering our confidence on God’s faithful character grants us strength and serenity to weather every storm. As Psalm 16:8 declares, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
We are called to serve the Lord with glad confidence
Rather than serving God out of crippling fear, we can serve Him with glad confidence in His grace. Psalm 100:2 exhorts, “Serve the Lord with gladness!” Hebrews 4:16 declares, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Confidence in God’s grace empowers joyful service.
Christ-centered confidence brings boldness to share the Gospel
Trusting in God’s sovereignty gives believers courage to share the Gospel boldly and confidently. Philippians 1:14 states, “And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Relying on God enables boldness in evangelism despite opposition.
Putting confidence in wealth is foolish and dangerous
Rather than finding stability in money, the Bible exhorts us to put our confidence in God. 1 Timothy 6:17 warns, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Wealth is uncertain but God can be trusted.
In summary, biblical confidence is not self-reliance but humble trust in the character and promises of God. This confidence remains unshaken through every trial because it is rooted in God’s strength rather than our own. As believers walk with Christ, their confidence will grow as they see His proven faithfulness. True confidence comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit and from fixing our eyes on Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, in whom we can have utmost confidence.