Confidence in Him

[Candi]

What exactly is confidence, and what is the difference between having confidence in Him and trusting in Him?

Perhaps I'm trying to go alittle deep with this, but I feel the Lord telling me to have confidence in Him in overcoming some fears that I have. So to get a deeper understanding I look it up only to find that other words all mean the same thing.

BUT... there must be a difference otherwise the bible would use the same word, instead of other words that mean the same.

Confidence, faith, assurance, faith... all mean the same, but there's gotta be differences. Some of these words are used together in scriptures.

[Candi]

Well, I did find this:

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary
of Biblical Theology

Confidence [N]

A multifaceted word that encompasses within Christian thought a range of aspects—faith in God, certainty and assurance of one's relationship with God, a sense of boldness that is dependent on a realization of one's acceptance by God, and a conviction that one's destiny is secure in God. To put one's ultimate trust or confidence either in human ability and power or in false gods and the things of this world is to discover with the men of Shechem the ultimate weakness of the mundane world (Judges 9:26). But to place one's confidence in the Lord rather than in the power of a human army is to begin to confront the mysterious power of the true God, who engenders in his followers genuine, growing confidence (2 Kings 18:19-19:13; Isa 36:4-37:20; cf. 1 Cor 2:1-8).


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So, confidence means having a boldness..?

[HeIsEnough]

So, confidence means having a boldness..?

:hat

In the right way and place, yes.

Say you are walking along the road with two of your friends, and one starts saying to the other how you must be water baptized in my church, and given the solemn rites and delivered the secret handshake.

Immediately you would (or should, as the case may be) say no No NO! and boldly explain the true way to the Father, as He has written and promised in His word through Jesus the Christ.

We may not realize it at the time, but you are boldly standing in and contending for a soul, which is precious without price. Not only that, you are boldly speaking for God Himself, and that is not a little thing. Then you can confidently tell your friend like Paul did, if you have done this, then you are saved.

That is not normal today. Many don't have that confidence, even many within the christian faith because they don't know the word and what it says. I have heard catholics say they don't know whether their saved, they just really hope they are, or something similar. If a person themself has confidence in God and what He says, and what He has done for you, and what He promises to you. Then that same person can have confidence He will do that for others, so you can boldly state it to others, with confidence.

This kind of confidence is supernatural, it comes from God, and with confidence comes boldness to emphatically say this is the truth, don't believe anything different. This of course is confidence in what the word teaches, and we see the Apostles walking the earth back then with the confidence and boldness to proclaim the gospel. Anyway, just some thoughts sister.

[Hootmon]

What exactly is confidence, and what is the difference between having confidence in Him and trusting in Him?When you 'confide' (quite literally 'with truth') with someone, you share a mutual truth.

Confidence is the internalization of that shared truth that leads to 'faith in action'.

[Hootmon]

This kind of confidence is supernatural, it comes from God, and with confidence comes boldness to emphatically say this is the truth, don't believe anything different. This of course is confidence in what the word teaches, and we see the Apostles walking the earth back then with the confidence and boldness to proclaim the gospel.:nod

Having had the truth confided unto you, and really believing it, it becomes imperative to confide that same truth to others. Confidence...

[HeIsEnough]

:nod

Having had the truth confided unto you, and really believing it, it becomes imperative to confide that same truth to others. Confidence...

:thumb

When we fully realize who the one is who is saying it to us, it truly becomes a marvelous thing.

[ihurt]

HIE...I was speaking to a waiter on my motorcycle trip, with my hubby,this past weekend. He has had a series of operations since his car accident. Since undergoing all the medical treatment he has become afraid. I asked him if he knew where he would spend eternity? He said he believed in God but there is something about blind faith that he can't make the leap. I told him that God will remove his fear but we kept getting interrupted. How do I stand in confidence/boldness with this situation? The biggest obstacle I come across is the argument against "blind faith" I gave him my email and told him that if he really wanted to know answers to please email me and I want to send him articles from RR. I also ordered The Evidence Bible (Irrefutable evidence for the thinking mind; from The Way of the Master Radio). Bottom Line...your scenario makes sense. I can stand in confidence knowing what Paul said. How do I do the same about Blind Faith?

Sorry if I should have started a new thread...don't mean to hijack. :hug

Great question Candi!!

[Everlasting]

Personally, I feel that "Confidence in Him" is all of that. By trusting in the faith we have the confidence to rest on his assurances, everyday, throughout our lives.

Just a Thought

Everlasting

:wave

[RefinedbyFire]

Confidence in Him -- His promises, His Word, His name, His authority, His goodness, His sovereignty. He is the one, true, living God. That's what I think of when I hear "confidence in Him."

[HeIsEnough]

How do I stand in confidence/boldness with this situation?

With the scriptures of course. :)


Jude



22And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Sounds like a compassion case. It really sounds like to me he needed to read the Lords words himself. I perhaps would have departed by imploring him to read the gospel of John, or to read it anew, if he had already. Or maybe you could recite the beatitudes for him, if the time is right, they are beautiful for those in the pain of life. Maybe invite him to pray, and to ask the Lord to show Himself strong to one with a humble and contrite heart. Its all Spirit led, as you know.


How do I do the same about Blind Faith?

It probably depends on exactly what is blinding him. I can't say for sure, but it sounds like what he has gone through has left him a little bitter about it all, its only natural. And again, naturally, we humans tend to 'take it out' on God by blaming Him. You mentioned he was afraid, and those going through trauma end up coming face to face with the reality of death, which is scary for those who don't know the Lord. Sometimes all we can do is point the way to the cross. If there is one thing thats true, you went beyond the call for that. Bless you friend. :thumb