In today’s world, we are faced with many challenges. These challenges are not only imposed onto us from a physical, emotional, psychological, and financial standpoint but spiritually as well where our faith is continuously being tested. We can only defend our faith and hope through knowledge of the scriptures, through studying what God wants from us, and doing things according to His will.
Giving a defense of the hope that lies in us is a requirement for all christians. Can we, or are we able to answer questions about our faith, the faith of Christianity?
Galatians 2:4-5 – 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Jesus has called the generation faithless and perverse (Matt 17:17), and Peter says in Acts 2:40 that the way to “be saved from this perverse generation” is to be baptised and in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. However, we do not seem to escape this perverse generation as Paul warns us of wolves that will come among us not sparing the flock and from among us men will rise, speaking perverse things to draw us away from the truth (Acts 20:29-30).
We are warned on many occasions about false teachings and false teachers in the Gospel who distort God’s word for their own personal gain. This is but one of many perversions of the gospel, which clearly points to the fact that we as Christians are at war. War not in the physical sense, but in spiritual sense, a spiritual warfare against Satan.
2 Corinthians 10:1-6
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (NKJV)
And hence a defence those that perverse the gospel and lead Christians and new recruits to Christianity astray is warranted and is our duty.
Galatians 2:5 demonstrates that we are not to yield to such teaching so that the truth of the gospel will be preserved. This weight lies on the shoulders of true Christians who choose to defend this truth.
There does not exist a need for the word of God to be protected or preserved (Psalms 12:6-7), as we have God’s promise for that, but it does have to be defended against false teachings.
We may exist is a state of bliss and think that we are protected by the church where we may never feel the effects of false teachings, or the perversion of the gospel will not impact me, however, this deep dark root of evil makes its way to places to where we may be blindsided and Satan, the roaring lion awaits his prey.
Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light to deceive fellow Christians.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (NKJV)
As an example, can we truly protect our family from this perversion, unless they are brought up with a strong foundation in the truth to know what schools teach and exposure to conversations are false. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6)
Marriage and divorce, same-sex marriages are now the common practise and acceptances as part of “changing times”.
1 John 4 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Therefore, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Therefore, study the word to defend it again false teachings, study and understand the enemy to know what we are up against and how we should respond.
“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God ….. by knowledge (2 Cor 6:4-5) and pray for wisdom to apply this knowledge and be ready to respond and defend God’s gospel.
1 Peter 3:15-16
5 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; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (NKJV)
Amen
This is so good and very informative. Thank you very much.