Defending Your Faith
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.
1 Peter 3:15
I have found it to be very difficult and frustrating to minister to someone whose heart is grounded in their own truth with little or no knowledge of the Bible. My experience with this type of person usually leaves me unable to answer one or more of their questions with sufficient proof to be convincing. The scripture above tells us to “always be prepared”, and I have started the never ending task of always being prepared.
We cannot tell others their truth is a lie from Satan because it will most likely make them angry and they will respond defensively. Therefore, I explain why I believe the Word and how my own life has been affected living in God’s truth. However, this requires a defense for my faith. It is critical that we are able to explain why we believe the Word and are able to give testimony of God in our lives, because this strong evidence is needed to persuade others.
Ministering to people requires patience in order to exhibit a non-judgmental, caring heart. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness (Titus 2:7). If we minister to non-believing souls we must reflect Godly lives to open their hearts to believe. Our lives must reflect what we teach, otherwise our teaching becomes meaningless. We reflect the seriousness of the ministry through a loving and caring heart.
Ministering to people who are living in Satan’s lies requires us to pray for the light of God’s truth in order to overcome the darkness of Satan’s deception. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). We realize the battle is against Satan’s forces of evil and not against the person to whom we are ministering. The battle plan is to overcome the lies the person is believing with the divine power of God’s loving Truth. And if we fully understand the person’s belief system we can optimize the truth in order to battle the lie.
Today, be prepared to defend your faith and be ready to give all or part of your testimony. The majority of lost souls are living in their own truths and believing lies about the Word and Jesus. Be prepared to minister to these lost souls and combat the lies with God’s truth.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to always be able to defend my faith, and to have the knowledge and wisdom to minister to lost souls living in Satan’s lies. Guide me in the Spirit when ministering, giving me patience with a caring, loving heart, as I fight the evil forces of Satan with your divine Truth. May the light always destroy the darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.