Cowardice: General Scriptures Concerning

As for those of you who survive, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies, so that even the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. And they will flee as one flees the sword, and fall when no one pursues them.

They will stumble over one another as before the sword, though no one is behind them. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies.

Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.”

How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.

Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained.

Distress and anguish terrify him, overwhelming him like a king poised to attack.

Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step.

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?

But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.