Rise and Roar by Rev. Grace Reyes

 

"The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1 NIV

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers,

This verse contrasts two kinds of people: the wicked and the righteous, highlighting the internal consequences of their moral choices.

Even when we wrestle with relentless spirits that accuse us day and night, we do not have to believe their lies or entertain them for long. A brave-hearted stepper walks boldly, even while being bombarded by the enemy’s accusations—designed to derail God’s promises for her life.  

The verse states that “the wicked flee though no one pursues,” denotes a person that lives with a burden and walks carrying guilt and shame as a garment.  

When you are bogged down with fear, anxiety and even paranoia when there is no real threat, it indicates that sin haunts you.  This truth is supported by other scriptures such as, Leviticus 26:17 “You will flee even when no one is pursuing you,” and Job 15:20-24 describes the constant dread of the wicked.  Guilt disturbs peace and creates emotional instability.

But this is where it hits different: a Brave Hearted Stepper is always striving to walk in a narrow path designed to stay in line with the will of God.  This determination creates in her a confidence and courage, like that of a lion not intimidated because:

• They have nothing to hide.
• They are anchored in truth.
• Their conscience is clear.

The lion is often used in Scripture as a symbol of power, fearlessness, and authority (cf. Revelation 5:5).  The sign of a Brave Hearted Stepper knows that righteous boldness is not arrogance; it's the strength that comes from integrity, divine assurance, and God’s presence (Psalm 27:1).

Moral courage is not built on self-confidence, but on righteous living and faith in God.  A clean heart produces a stable mind and fearless life.  If fear dominates, it may be time to ask: Am I hiding something? Am I trusting in God’s righteousness?

Even as followers of Christ, we sometimes feel like the wicked in Proverbs 28:1—fleeing in fear, haunted by anxiety, or overwhelmed by guilt—even when there is no external threat. This doesn’t mean we aren’t saved or loved by God. It means we’re still being sanctified—walking out our salvation in a fallen world with a very real enemy.

We may feel this way because of unresolved guilt or hidden sin.  Like David in Psalm 32:3-4: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away...” A Brave Hearted Stepper may wrestle with internal torment when not confessing sin or walking in disobedience—not as punishment, but as God’s loving correction.

The enemy is called the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10).  He wants you to feel condemned, afraid, and spiritually defeated—even though Christ has made you righteous.  

Here are some scriptures that reassure us that we are not walking without the guidance of the Lord. Instead, he reassures us in Romans 8:1: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  In 2 Timothy 1:7: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”  There are many others that we can find in the bible.

How to Move from Fear to Boldness:

• Confess and receive forgiveness – Don’t carry guilt. Jesus bore it all.
• Declare your righteousness in Christ daily – Even when you don’t feel it.
• Praise and worship – A spiritual weapon against heaviness and fear (Isaiah 61:3).
• Seek godly counsel or prayer – You're not meant to walk through affliction alone.
• Speak the Word boldly – Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17); speak life over yourself.

To walk in the Spirit is to walk in courage—not the kind of courage that comes from personality or pride, but the holy boldness that comes from a heart aligned with God. As Proverbs 28:1 declares, “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” But this boldness is not self-made—it is born from righteous living, surrendered hearts, and Spirit-led obedience.

If we want to be bold, we must be clean before God, continually seeking His righteousness and turning away from even the appearance of wickedness. Boldness is not bravado. It is clarity of conscience, trust in God's promises, and a deep assurance that we walk not alone but in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Every Brave Hearted step we take should be measured by two questions:

1. Is this in line with God’s righteousness?

2. Am I resisting compromise and walking away from what grieves the Spirit?

To be bold in the Spirit is to stand firm in truth, act with integrity, and move forward in faith, even when the world around us trembles.

Let us walk boldly—not in our own strength—but because we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Let us be ever-watchful that our lives reflect the light and not the shadow, the narrow path and not the broad road. For in doing so, we not only walk bravely—we walk triumphantly.

Blessings,

Rev. Grace Reyes

Founder of Blessed Keys Ministry

(blessedkeys.com)

Mark your calendars and meet me back here next Friday, August 8, 2025, for the next roar-worthy blog post in our Rise & Roar series. We’re stepping deeper, rising higher, and roaring louder — together!