“Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.” (Colossians 4:5-6, MSG)
Have you ever been in the position of having to defend your faith? How did you feel? While the situation may not have been pleasant, did your faith increase because of what you did… and how you expressed yourself?
“If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” (1 Peter 3:15, MSG)
This identifies the reason and your best way of responding when you are in a position to defend. I believe that the reason I’m attempting to address this subject is based in my belief that the Church is under attack. It’s not that the Church is a threat and, for most Christians, they do not advocate or participate in any ‘civil disobedience’. BUT, for many opposition people, the mere fact Christianity exists is an offense in their eyes. Controversial statement? Really????
“I solemnly charge you … preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.”
(2 Timothy 4:1-2, AMP – mine)
I think that correct, warn, exhort, encourage are the best definitions of ‘defend’. We can never compromise our defense nor can we be belligerent. Our goals is to convince so HOW we go about defending is critical. We never want to be viewed as hypocrites – saying one thing in one place and the opposite in another. Actually, when we do this, what kind of testimony or witness are we providing to our newer brothers and sisters in the Lord?
In terms of giving a defense for the hope in you, I would suggest that it’s wise to know who you are speaking to and who they are. Listen to their words, their attacks, their understanding so you will have an entry for correction and understanding. Just remember that in your defense you may be speaking to their wall of defense. Personally, I tend to turn the discussion by asking them questions. Never use words that are not in the attacker’s frame of reference, they won’t understand.
“But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].” (1 Corinthians 2:14, AMP)
What’s our purpose, our motivation in our defending? It should be to bring light. How we go about doing this determines if we are heard and the message is understood. I’m not attempting to tell you what to do, I’m suggesting that you know and are prepared to defend.
