1 Peter 3:15-16
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
As the verse says, we have to be prepared to give an answer to those who asks us about the hope and faith we hold on to but we have to do it with gentleness and respect. To do this, we ourselves as Christians have to be grounded in the Word of God. If we ourselves are not grounded, how are we going to give an answer? Furthermore, we can be easily shaken ourselves if we are not firm rooted in God's Word.
In addition, we have to answer those who ask us in gentleness and respect. To win the debate is not the aim. Notice the verse says just to give an answer. We shouldn't go arguing until things get out of hand. God will help us to speak up and the Holy Spirit will work on the other person's heart. Like I said, the goal is not to win the debate but to speak God's love and salvation. Thats why we are called to have "good behaviour". Ultimately, its deeds that will speak the loudest like the famous English idiom "action speaks louder than words".
If we use harsh verbal language to lash out at the other person, that is not showing love and will further crush our testimony. When they see that our actions is synonymous with what we say, and the love we show, they will have nothing to say-"so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
That all I have to say now. Give me your opinions as well yah. We are all learning and growing together in this.
Soli Deo Gloria!!!
child_of_God
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