A fundamental verse in regards to evangelism and apologetics is found in 1 Peter 3:15, “but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you…” It’s upon this principle that many Christians have armed themselves with the Biblical knowledge needed to defend the truth and stand for what’s right.
Although standing for the truth can be an enormous struggle and even dangerous, it’s important. It also takes the right motivation to fight. Webster defines a Fight as “contending against or in battle or physical combat” with someone. But who? And when?
Jude 3, “Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”
The contention of our faith might be said something like “We must make an effort to win a debate about our faith.” But a debate with who? Those who oppose the truth about Jesus? Or the doubts we have in our own minds? The reality is that we often find ourselves engaged in battles that can’t be won on the outside and fail to fight the battles that can only be fought inside our hearts.
Remember the words of God to Cain in Genesis 4:6, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Paul described our fight this way in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE is not an easy task, but it might be the most powerful way to defeat the tricks of the devil. Because, as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “We do this so that we may not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”
Consider the ways the devil has won the battles in your life before, but then consider how God’s ways have proven to be more powerful. We must constantly be reminded of the power that works within us (Ephesians 3:20) and take comfort in knowing that “you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
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