I Peter 3:15-16 But 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
We are commanded to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Most followers of Christ can quote the Great Commission word-for-word. It does not seem, however, that all Christians know how we are to carry out that command. We are to interact with gentleness and respect.
It is easy to fall into the trap of defending ourselves when we are questioned about our beliefs or when we try to share the gospel and meet criticism. When we become defensive we can easily turn hostile and that is not the way Christ meant His message to be shared. We are not going to win people over if we hit them about the head with the Bible. We're not called to force our beliefs, God did not instruct us to yell or argue people into His kingdom.
While some may believe that the Bible gives no clear example of how to witness and that we're just left to figure that out, the first book of Peter has something to say on the matter. It is clear that we are meant to speak with gentleness and respect. In this, we will be following Christ's example of interaction with unbelievers.
It is easy to fall into the trap of defending ourselves when we are questioned about our beliefs or when we try to share the gospel and meet criticism. When we become defensive we can easily turn hostile and that is not the way Christ meant His message to be shared. We are not going to win people over if we hit them about the head with the Bible. We're not called to force our beliefs, God did not instruct us to yell or argue people into His kingdom.
While some may believe that the Bible gives no clear example of how to witness and that we're just left to figure that out, the first book of Peter has something to say on the matter. It is clear that we are meant to speak with gentleness and respect. In this, we will be following Christ's example of interaction with unbelievers.
Further reading: John 4:4-30
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