TheoloJeep

Introduction: The Epidemic of Cowardice

Our age is not primarily marked by poverty, plague, or even political instability. The deepest wound in our society is the epidemic of cowardice—men refusing to fulfill their God-given responsibility to protect life. This is not a new disease. From the Garden of Eden to the battlefields of history, cowardice has always whispered in the ears of men: “Stay silent. Stay seated. Stay safe.”

But Scripture tells us plainly: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Cowardice has no place in the life of a man who has been redeemed by Christ. Indeed, Revelation 21:8 places “the cowardly” in the same category as idolaters, liars, and murderers. Why? Because a man who refuses to defend life is complicit in death.

This post will expose cowardice for what it is, show God’s calling for men to protect, and urge men everywhere to repent of passivity and embrace courage for the sake of all life—born and unborn, near and far, neighbor and stranger.

I. Adam’s First Failure: The Silence of a Coward

The pattern of cowardice begins in Genesis. God placed Adam in the Garden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). The word keep means to guard, to protect, to watch over. Adam’s duty was not simply to cultivate the Garden but to guard his wife from danger.

When the serpent came with deceit, Adam was not absent—he was present (Genesis 3:6 says Eve “gave some to her husband who was with her”). Adam stood by as Satan twisted God’s Word. He should have crushed the serpent’s head. Instead, he stayed silent.

This was cowardice. He abdicated his post. He failed to protect life—Eve’s life, his own life, and the life of generations unborn. That abdication plunged humanity into sin and death.

From the beginning, the greatest danger is not the serpent outside, but the cowardice within.

II. God’s Call to Men: Protect Life

Throughout Scripture, God commands men to be protectors.

Ephesians 5:25 — “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Christ’s love was sacrificial, protective, and costly.

Proverbs 24:11 — “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” Neutrality in the face of death is sin.

Micah 6:8 — “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Justice demands courage, not passivity.

God’s design is clear: a man who refuses to protect life betrays his calling.

III. Cowardice in the Garb of Compassion

Modern men often excuse cowardice by cloaking it in false compassion.

The passive partner: “It’s her body, her choice. I’ll support her decision.” In reality, this is abandonment. It leaves a woman alone in the hour when she most needs strength. The so-called peacemaker: “I don’t want to judge. It’s complicated.” But Scripture doesn’t give room for neutrality in matters of life and death. To say nothing when babies are butchered in the womb is to side with the butchers. The silent father: Many men sit silently as their daughters are trafficked into ideologies that destroy their bodies and souls. They fear conflict more than they fear God.

This is not compassion. It is cowardice. And cowardice costs lives.

IV. Historical Testimonies of Cowardice

History bears witness to what happens when men refuse to protect life.

Nazi Germany: Ordinary men looked away as Jews were rounded up. Excuses abounded: “I didn’t know.” “I didn’t want to get involved.” Millions perished under the shadow of cowardice. American Slavery: Men who knew the truth of God’s Word refused to confront injustice. The pulpit fell silent, and the lash continued to crack. Cowardice prolonged cruelty. Jim Crow South: Many church leaders kept peace with culture rather than peace with Christ. Their silence cost generations of men and women their dignity, safety, and lives.

Today, abortion is our generation’s holocaust. Over 60 million image-bearers of God have been destroyed in America alone. How many of those children would live if men stood boldly in defense of life?

V. The Coward’s Excuses

Cowardice always justifies itself. Some of the most common excuses include:

“It’s not my problem.” But Cain’s question—“Am I my brother’s keeper?”—was answered by God with blood crying from the ground (Genesis 4:9–10). “I don’t want to judge others.” Yet Paul tells us to expose the deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Silence is not humility; it is rebellion. “It’s complicated.” But God’s commands are not complicated: Do not murder. Protect life. “I don’t want to offend anyone.” Jesus offended the rulers of His day. The prophets offended kings. Truth always offends lies.

Excuses do not absolve guilt. They multiply it.

VI. Courage as Christlikeness

Courage is not bravado. It is not reckless rage. It is obedience to God in the face of fear.

Jesus in Gethsemane: He sweat drops of blood, yet submitted to the Father’s will (Luke 22:44).

Peter in Acts 4: Once a denier, Peter stood boldly before the Sanhedrin, declaring Christ as the only name under heaven by which men must be saved.

The Early Church: Christians rescued abandoned infants from Roman trash heaps, risking persecution and ridicule because they knew life was sacred.

True courage reflects Christ, who “for the joy set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2).

VII. A Call to Men Today

Men, the time for neutrality is over. Your calling is clear:

Protect your wives by leading them in holiness and truth. Protect your children by discipling them in God’s Word and shielding them from wolves. Protect the unborn by opposing abortion not with mere sentiment, but with action. Protect your neighbors by standing against injustice wherever it appears.

Do not shrink back. Do not remain silent. To refuse is not simply weakness—it is wickedness.

VIII. The Hope of Repentant Cowards

The good news of the Gospel is that even cowards can be restored.

Peter denied Christ three times, yet Jesus restored him and made him a shepherd of His flock. Men who have failed to protect—who have been silent, passive, or complicit—can repent and be forgiven. But forgiveness must lead to transformation. Grace is not a license for continued cowardice; it is fuel for courageous obedience.

IX. The Eternal Stakes

Why does Revelation 21:8 list the cowardly alongside murderers and idolaters? Because the man who refuses to protect life partners with death. Cowardice is not harmless—it is murderous by neglect.

But Christ offers eternal courage to those who believe. In Him, we are more than conquerors. In Him, we stand firm. In Him, we fear no man.

Conclusion: Rise Up, Men of God

The world does not need more passive men. It does not need men who abdicate their calling. It does not need cowards.

The world needs men who are bold as lions, who will stand in the gap, who will defend life from the womb to the grave. The world needs men who will reflect Christ’s courage, even if it costs them everything.

So rise up, men of God. Protect life. Reject cowardice. Embrace courage. Follow Christ. Anything less is treason against the King who laid down His life to save ours.