WEDNESDAY October 7, 2026

Be Ready to Give a Defense

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear....
1 Peter 3:15

Peter continued to give us solid Christian counsel that we can follow. We are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. What does that mean? Well, the word sanctify means “set apart.”  So, our lives are to be “set apart” for God’s use and for His glory.

The next exhortation from Peter was the readiness to give a defense of the Gospel. When asked about your faith, give your defense in meekness––power under control. Peter also implores us never to fear man, but to speak boldly, having a godly fear––a deep reverence toward God. Remember, Peter spoke these exhortations to a persecuted Church. He readied them in case they were arrested, beaten or prosecuted. Even under those circumstances, there was always an opportunity to share the Gospel.

It is the same today; we have to be ready to give an answer to those questioning us about our faith in God. Are you ready to give a defense of the Gospel message? Do you know the Bible well enough? That is why you are to study the Bible, not only in church, but also at home. People are searching for the truth; can you help them understand the Scriptures?  Listen, there will also be people who watch you as you faithfully endure persecution or suffering. They may say, “How can I have what you have?” Again, you have an opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

If you study the Bible, you will be able to answer your children’s questions about the Bible, and you will also be able to engage in conversation about theology with your coworkers, friends and neighbors. God will enable you to reach your enemies with the Gospel. When we learn the Bible systematically together, we will be equipped to share God’s Word with others. I will continue teaching the Bible line upon line consecutively. Every time we close in Revelation, we will start all over again in Genesis. Why? We want to know God’s Word so we can share it with others.

A man can’t be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.
~C.S. Lewis~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!