Courage

Courage, as depicted in the Bible, is the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It is a virtue that is often associated with faith and trust in God. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated courage in the face of adversity, often as a result of their unwavering faith in God.

One of the most prominent examples of courage in the Bible is found in the account of Joshua. After the death of Moses, Joshua was appointed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, assuring him of His presence and support. In Joshua 1:9 , God says, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Another example is David, who displayed remarkable courage when he faced Goliath, the Philistine giant. Despite being a young shepherd, David's faith in God gave him the courage to confront and defeat Goliath with just a sling and a stone. In 1 Samuel 17:45 , David declares to Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

The New Testament also highlights courage, particularly in the lives of the apostles. After the resurrection of Jesus, the apostles boldly proclaimed the Gospel despite facing persecution and threats. In Acts 4:13 , the courage of Peter and John is noted: "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Integrity

Integrity in the Bible refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is the consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, and principles that align with God's standards. Integrity is a hallmark of a righteous life and is highly esteemed in Scripture.

Job is a quintessential example of integrity in the Bible. Despite severe trials and suffering, Job maintained his integrity and refused to curse God. In Job 2:3 , God Himself acknowledges Job's integrity: "Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.'"

King David, despite his failings, is also noted for his integrity. In Psalm 25:21 , David prays, "May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You." David's life, though marked by sin, was characterized by a heart that sought after God and a desire to live in accordance with His will.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul serves as an example of integrity. In 2 Corinthians 1:12 , Paul writes, "For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God, not in worldly wisdom but in the grace of God."

The Bible consistently teaches that integrity is integral to a life of faith. Proverbs 11:3 states, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them." This verse underscores the guiding power of integrity in the life of a believer, contrasting it with the destructive nature of deceit and faithlessness.