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SKILLFUL SPEECH

Apologia: the speech of defense, or an answer given in reply to a charge.

Peter encourages the church to be willing to suffer for doing what is good and right; to bless even when cursed. This kind of behavior or response, he points out, will truly raise eyebrows and questions about our beliefs, of what makes us take this stand. So when we are questioned about our faith, if we are given an opportunity to give an apologia or defense, Peter tells us to be ready and prepared to answer with gentleness, respect and a clear conscience.

Paul encourages the church to do likewise, while instructing the believers at Colossae, Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (4:6), suggesting that a question had been asked with regard to their faith or way of life/ conduct (4:5) and they were to be prepared with a suitable answer.

Many of us are tongue tied when people genuinely ask us about our faith. Their questions may be posed with genuine interest or some may even be aggressive in their stance. Either way, we are to be ready to give an answer as to why we believe what we believe and why we live the way of Christ. It is an opportunity that Christ gives us to share our hope and we should not it.

Know the scriptures; know why you believe what you believe, lest you be confused when someone opposes your faith with their questions. Think about the questions the watching world around us asks, and prepare answers to give them the reason for the hope you have.

The CHALLENGE to Change:

Take a moment to pen down your testimony in brief today. Practice in your mind how you can share part of it when an opportunity presents itself, directing people to Christ. Read up/ listen to a resource today that can help answer some questions. Discuss a few common questions with other believers so you are equipped to handle them when they are asked.