The First Century Church Father, Clement, who was a disciple of the Apostle Paul and is mentioned by Paul in Phil 4:3 would not be a fan of all of the latest books and sermons flooding the Christian marketplace encouraging Christians to be bold, audacious risk takers. Here's what Clement had to say on the matter in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 30.
Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. “For God,” says [the Scripture], “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control...Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.
Since a man who learned the Christian faith directly from the Apostle Paul speaks such clear warnings against audacity and boldness and even goes so far as to say that they are character traits of those headed to hell, we'd be wise to stop and take heed and ask ourselves if audacity is even a fruit of the Holy Spirit?
