The Defense That Never Rests
I had an encouraging ministry moment this week that I felt the Lord calling me to both share and dive deeper into! I was asked to give advice on how to start living more for Christ in freedom and speaking His word. What a question for me! And it sparked my deeper consideration of the question.
As a follower of Jesus, this has to be one of the most encouraging questions – getting asked about your faith and where this faith comes from. Then the Lord providentially brought 1 Peter 3:14-16 into my weekly reading:
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
I was particularly drawn to verse 15, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
I loved this because I felt the test to make a defense for my hope – how I can be prepared to give an answer for my faith. And how and why I live for Christ and speak His truth. So, the question remains - how do we get prepared to speak to this hope? Upon this deeper dive, I landed on what I will call the six “D’s” to defend out faith.
To be better prepared to speak to this hope, we must…
1. Dive into God’s Word
Below are two verses that speak to benefits of God’s word:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17
and
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword...” — Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is living, active, and essential for transformation. Renewal of the mind happens when we fill it with the truth of Scripture — the only truth that never changes. The more you read the Bible, the more your thoughts and speech begin to align with God’s heart. His Word shapes our perspective, convicts our spirit, and empowers us to speak truth in love.
Ask yourself: are you in God’s Word daily? Is it a rhythm of your life or a last resort when things get hard? In our chaotic world, being still in His Word is crucial to sustaining and maturing our faith. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we become equipped to speak from it and not just about it.
2. Draw Near to God
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” — James 4:8
The call to draw near to God is both an invitation and a promise! We have free access to the Creator of the universe through the sacrifice of Jesus. May we not treat that as a casual reality but instead as an eternal privilege. Spurgeon gave us a few clear ways to draw near to God that I loved:
It means to draw near in worship, praise, and in prayer.
It means to draw nearby asking counsel of God.
It means to draw near in enjoying communion with God.
It means to draw near in the general course and tenor of your life.
I think it is precious that God did not merely say to draw near and He will forgive us, or save us – although both are true, God says he will also draw near to us. Our God wants a close intimate relationship with us. He wants to be near us!
And drawing near to God helps us to resist the devil, to become pure, to sorrow over sin, speak well of other people, to think of eternal things, and to know God more intimately,
3. Devote to Prayer
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” — Romans 12:12
Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. God desires a relationship with us, and prayer is the lifeline of that relationship. Through prayer, we align our hearts with His will, bring our worries to His feet, and experience the peace that surpasses understanding.
By the blood of Jesus, we have access to the throne room of grace. So, talk to Him — about everything. Ask, seek, listen, and rest. Prayer is not fancy words or perfect timing; it’s about being in the presence of your Creator!
4. Develop Meditation
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
There is power in stillness before God. In our fast-paced, distracted world, it’s easy to fill our silence — but our spiritual maturity grows in moments of stillness and surrender.
To “be still” doesn’t just mean sitting in silence though; it means laying down your arms, surrendering control, and acknowledging that God alone is victorious. When we meditate on God’s character, we invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, transform us, and reveal the depths of the Gospel in new ways.
Meditation is not emptying your mind; it’s filling it with truth. It’s focusing on who God is and aligning your thoughts and heart with His will.
5. Demand Obedience
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
Obedience is not about perfection — it’s about devotion. Every time we choose God’s way over our own, we grow in intimacy with Him and His will.
It’s an active decision to trust God’s wisdom more than our desires, to walk by faith rather than sight, and to believe that His ways are always better, even when they’re harder. True freedom is found not in doing whatever we want, but in submitting to God, who knows and has known before the beginning of time what’s best for us!
6. Dive into Community
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Community has been a huge way God has moved powerfully in my life. We were made in the image of God to need and seek community in this life. When we walk with others in this faith journey, we are constantly pouring into each other and fixing our eyes on Jesus together. So, stay plugged in! Serve, worship, learn with others, meet with others, and watch how God will use your “yes” for His glory.
All of this can sound like a long list of “things to do” — read the Bible, pray, meditate, obey, serve— but remember it’s not about doing more to earn God’s love. That love was already paid in full on the cross, and there’s nothing you can do to lose it (Romans 8:38–39). Instead, it’s about knowing God more deeply so that your life naturally overflows with His love. And the more you walk with Him, in His Word, in prayer, and in obedience, the more boldly you’ll walk out in His truth with a faith prepared to speak out.
May this encourage you today to live a life defending the radiant hope in Christ - a hope that causes others to ask about it and gives you every opportunity to answer to Jesus.