The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,and with cords they have spread a net;
beside the way they have set snares for me. Psalm 140:5
The news media says we are no longer a Christian nation. In a way, that is true. People don’t go to church as part of their routines. Kids don’t pray in public schools. In fact, in some they don’t say the Pledge because of that one phrase in it, “Under God”. It seems Christians are under attack. Perhaps someone has seen you, sniffed you out because of a cross around your neck, a fish symbol on your car, or just your attitude. They’ re out to throw the tough questions at you- to try and topple your faith. They set intellectual traps, or worse, snares to get you to do something you know is wrong. The old peer pressure. It’s all right- no one will know.
What do you say? That is less important than what you do. And what you do is stop and pray. Invoke the Holy Spirit to protect you, give you strength,and if necessary, give you the words to say. You don’t have to drop to your knees and verbally go into a long prayer (though it might be worth it to see the looks on their faces). Just halt your thoughts for a minute – “Lord, help me. Speak through me, let me be your witness.”
Yes, it helps to have verses from the Word in your arsenal, always. But even the brand new Christian has a sword that will lash through any lie. It is called faith. Trust without reservations, the unshakable “I know” in the midst of life’s questions. It is the strength of the One who created everything, including their questions. The One who speaks Truth, who over- turned a temple of money grabbers and thwarted the Devil’s temptations. The One who shed His blood for you and gave you eternal life.
They call defending the faith Apologetics. Too many of us do just that, cower and apologize for our beliefs. What we have to say, what we believe goes against the grain of the world. It is supposed to raise eyebrows. It is supposed to be a stumbling block for the Jew and folly for the Gentile, as Paul says. Yes, it is even meant to be offensive, to shake up the unbeliever’s train of thought so His Spirit can break through the hard crust of sin. You have the armor of God. Stand firm, and stand up for what you believe. Let God speak through you, then let Him handle the reactions.
What do you say? God only knows- and that’s the point. So, before you open your mouth, fill your heart with His loving strength and invoke Him to shine through you.
As Psalm 19:14 says, May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be ever acceptable in your sight, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness. I Corinthinas 1:18, 23
