November 16, 2024
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: 1 Peter 3:15-16
ONE OF THE TOUGHEST assignments in life is to communicate clearly what happened during a time when emotions were high. People who “fall in love” can hardly describe the details of the moment.
ONE OF THE TOUGHEST assignments in life is to communicate clearly what happened during a time when emotions were high. People who “fall in love” can hardly describe the details of the moment. Those who’ve endured a sudden loss or witnessed a tragic accident often convey the information in a confused manner.
Candidly, this confusion and anxiety is often heightened when Christians attempt to express our faith—how we were “born from above” and became “new creatures in Christ.” I mean, who hasn’t experienced the dry-mouth, sweaty-palms syndrome when suddenly at lunch with a friend, or standing in the driveway of a neighbor, the opportunity to speak of Christ is presented!
As non-Christians strain to follow our words, I wonder how many must wonder why we struggle to share what we believe. We think we’re communicating clearly, but we’re not. We toss around terms familiar only to those in the “in” group . . . phrases foreign to those in the world system.
Our secret language calls for a decoding process they aren’t equipped to handle. How much better to talk in plain, concrete, authentic terms, as the Spirit of God works to complete the task!
I’ve always appreciated how the apostle Peter stated it (by the way, this is from the guy who gained certain notoriety for his bumbled expressions!):
If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.
1 PETER 3:15–16
That’s such great advice! Readiness is the key. Be prepared. Study up. I’d even encourage you to practice sharing what you believe in front of a mirror, or to your spouse or your friend. Take that assignment from God. Be ready! Then, perhaps most importantly, ask the Lord to give you a genuine spirit of gentleness and grace so that your words are received well.
Take a few minutes today to pause and thank the Lord for your salvation—for what He has done for you. Then write out a few thoughts that you can share with someone who asks you about your faith.