What good is a virtue that disappears when it becomes difficult? What value is honesty, faithfulness, or integrity if they only exist when they cost us nothing?
This quote recently caught my eye:
“The virtue of courage is a prerequisite for the practice of all other virtues; otherwise, one is virtuous only when virtue has no cost.”
Though often attributed to C. S. Lewis, this quote is actually a paraphrase of a thought expressed in Lewis’ 1942 work, The Screwtape Letters. Advising his nephew on how to corrupt a human, the senior Demon says:
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means, at the point of highest reality.”
Lewis goes on to explain that virtues such as chastity, honesty, and mercy are only genuine virtues when they endure pressure.
This powerful thought is a reminder of the difference between knowing and doing. It’s one thing to know the difference between the lusts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, and quite another to courageously “walk in the Spirit” when everyone around you is engaging in the lusts of the flesh.
The Bible, especially the Old Testament, is filled with admonitions to be courageous.
Standing on the brink of conquering Canaan, Moses exhorted Israel, “Be strong and of good courage” because Jehovah was with them (Deut. 31:5).
Upon passing the torch of leadership to Solomon, David advised, “Be strong and of good courage” (1 Chron. 28:20).
Likewise, in admonishing God’s people to persevere in times of trouble, the Psalmist penned:
“Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
(Ps. 27:14)
Indeed, courage is the virtue that enables every other virtue to endure. It manifests itself in three important ways.
#1 Courage Makes Conviction Visible
The three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did not suddenly develop courage when they refused to bow down before King Nebuchadnezzar’s image.
When threatened with the fiery furnace, they confidently declared:
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods.”
(Dan. 3:17-18)
Their courage was revealed because they already possessed conviction and trusted God.
Our faith is tested when obedience produces ridicule from our peers. Our integrity is tested when compromise results in financial gain. Our purity is tested when temptation promises pleasure.
In each case, courage reveals whether our convictions are merely beliefs we hold or commitments by which we live.
#2 Courage Gives Other Virtues a Backbone
One writer observes that “courage is the backbone of character. Without courage, convictions collapse under pressure.”
The apostle Peter experienced both a lack of courage and an abundance of courage. Peter confessed Christ as the Son of God. But when loyalty threatened his life during Jesus’ trial, he denied Jesus three times.
Peter’s love for Jesus was genuine, but his courage failed under pressure.
Later, strengthened by the Spirit, Peter boldly proclaimed Christ even when threatened by the authorities and imprisoned.
Courage strengthens our values. Courage enables honesty when it’s easier to tell a lie. Courage shows love when it may be rebuffed. Courage expresses kindness when others criticize. Courage fuels the will to forgive when the wound is fresh and deep.
Courage is the bedrock of expressing our values and demonstrating our virtues.
#3 Courage Requires Trust in God
In each of the earlier Bible examples from Moses, David, and the Psalmist, courage is connected to trusting in the Lord.
When Joshua assumed the mantle of leadership from Moses, God instructed him:
“Be strong and of good courage… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Josh. 1:9)
Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. It is faith that acts despite fear because God is greater than the circumstances we face.
Jesus, who was the epitome of courage, faithfully obeyed the Father’s will in going to the cross. In Gethsemane, He demonstrated courage through surrender:
“Not My will, but Yours, be done.”
(Luke 22:42)
Jesus serves as our example (1 Pet. 2:20-22), dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17), and provides the confidence of our glorious hope (Col. 1:27).
Anyone can claim values and profess virtues when life is easy and we’re untested. But when obedience costs popularity, when integrity costs opportunity, when forgiveness costs pride, and when faithfulness costs comfort, courage steps forward.
Courage reveals our character, demonstrates the depth of our convictions, and supplies backbone to every virtue.
It says to an unbelieving world, “I trust in God and in Jesus Christ as my Savior.”
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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