Ready to Defend

Introduction – When Doing Right Feels Wrong

Ask: “What’s 7 × 7?” (Students answer ‘49!’) Say: “Nope — that’s wrong.” Try again — same answer — “Nope.”

It feels weird to be right and still told you’re wrong, doesn’t it?

That’s exactly what Peter’s audience felt like. They were doing good — following Jesus — but treated as if they were wrong, even dangerous.

And Peter is reminds his Christian Audience that… Sometimes, doing the right thing brings rejection, not reward. Sometimes, doing good leads to pain instead of praise… And Jesus, our Lord is the greatest example of THAT.

You see… The people Peter was writing to understood that deeply. They were Christians living in a culture that didn’t like their faith. Some were ignored, some were mocked, some were falsely accused. Others even lost jobs, friends, and safety — all because they followed Jesus.

Imagine how confusing that must have felt. They were trying to do what was right… yet the people doing wrong seemed to be the ones who were winning. Evil people were thriving; faithful people were suffering. When that happens, it doesn’t just hurt — it shakes your confidence. It makes you wonder: Why do bad things happen to good people? Is it even worth it to do what’s right?

And maybe some of you know that feeling too. Maybe you’ve lost a friendship because you chose honesty over fitting in. Maybe you turned down a shortcut or opportunity because you wanted to honor Christ — and it cost you something. Maybe you’ve looked around at people doing wrong and thought, “They look so happy. Why does it feel like following Jesus makes life harder?”

Peter’s answer is simple but strong: Don’t be surprised when doing good brings suffering. Because God still sees it, and He still calls it good, and your perseverance in doing good – Your devotion to honoring Christ, who died the death meant for sinners- even though he lived perfectly, is your first line of defense.

You see, we live in a world filled with content — YouTube, podcasts, and social-media debates. You can watch Christians defending their faith against skeptics or critics every day. But 1 Peter 3 reminds us: our defense doesn’t start with arguments — it starts with devotion. #DevotionB4Debates

Sometimes we think defending the faith means memorizing every argument about science or history. Or an ability to… is the ability to answer every tough question, every doubt, and every skepticism from an unbeliever or an atheist. Those things help — but the first and best defense is a life that shows Christ is real; Christ is Lord

1. Defense Begins in the Heart (v. 15a)

But that is not what we see here in Scripture…  Peter writes, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy.”

So, for some us, the question we should be asking as we want to represent Christ in our world is…

- Is Christ truly my Lord? – Do I live like I belong to Him — set apart for His glory?

- Living a life that demonstrates that we belong to Christ… a Life that shows that Christ is our Lord is our first line of defense.

And. When people see that Jesus rules your attitude, your choices – He alone is your joy even in loss, and He alone is the power and drive behind your faithfulness when doing good feels hard — it catches their attention. Your devotion is often louder than a thousand debates.

Because if our lives don’t show Christ’s power to change us, why would anyone believe He has the power to save them? Our transformation is one of the clearest proofs that Jesus is alive.

2. The Witness of a Clear Conscience

When the world watches goodness in a broken world, something happens — their conscience wakes up.

The conscience is the inner alarm that tells us right from wrong — proof that God’s law is written on every heart.

That alarm inside us is one of the strongest clues that God exists. Even people who deny God still feel guilt and know right from wrong — because deep down, they sense there’s a Lawgiver.

So when people see your peace, honesty, integrity, forgiveness, faithfulness, and peace, and joy…  some will ask “Why?” because their conscience is stirred.

Romans 2:15 says our conscience does one of two things — it either accuses us or excuses us. So when your devotion to God shines through your life, and someone sees your peace, your honesty, or your kindness, their conscience gets stirred.

Some people will ask questions because they genuinely want to understand. Others will question or even push back, because they’re trying to defend themselves — to quiet that inner voice pointing them toward God.

Either way, the lesson is simple: Your devotion has made them think about God — whether they realize it or not. Even the one who thinks they can live however they want has, for a brief moment, started to question their choices. Your faithfulness has awakened their heart’s alarm.

3. Be Ready with the Reason for Your Hope (v. 15b)

And when the conscience is awaken… it will always ask… what I call the “why&whatquestions”

Why do I behave in this manner… Why do I do what I do… what beliefs and hopes guide my behavior.

So, when the world sees your Christ-honoring behavior… they would also ask you the “why and what” questions. When they see your joy even in suffering, your faithfulness even in suffering, failure, and loss… your forgiveness even in long-suffering…

That’s why Peter says,

“Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you.”

The question behind every “Why?” is really this: “What are you trusting in that gives you this kind of hope?”

And our answer is simple in Gal 2:20

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. My hope isn’t in achievements, image, or control — it’s in Jesus who forgave us, who rose for me, and who’s coming back for me.”

Our hope isn’t just wishful thinking — it’s built on something real. Jesus really lived, really died, and really came back to life. People actually saw Him after He rose, and many of them were willing to die rather than deny it. That’s not make-believe faith — that’s real-life truth.

4. Christ — Our Defense Before God (vv. 18–21)

To further demonstrate the Hope we trust in, Peter continues,

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God.”

Jesus is the reason we can stand before God at all. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, He has given us a new standing — a good or clear conscience before God.

Verse 21 explains it clearly:

“Baptism now saves you—not as the removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

That means our consciences are clean not because of our good works but because Jesus’ resurrection declares us forgiven. When He stands for us before the Father, our hearts can rest — and that peace is what gives us courage to stand for Him before others.

So, Before this fallen world, we don’t stand as perfect people — we stand as forgiven people, loved by grace and mercy. And that gives us boldness to defend our faith because our defense points to someone greater than ourselves — Christ Himself.

So, You don’t have to panic when someone questions your faith. The same Jesus who defends you before God stands beside you in that conversation.

Finally, Peter ends by showing Christ’s victory:

He “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to Him.”

Christ rules over everything that looks powerful — every philosophy, every system, every voice that says God isn’t real. That’s why we can submit to His Lordship even when it costs us, when its hard, when it means we would no longer fit in…

And that should motivate us to keep learning how to defend our faith. Read. Ask questions. Watch thoughtful debates. God isn’t afraid of honest questions — truth can handle them. Study not to win arguments, but to strengthen your hope… and that hope should show up in our healthy arguments and Christ-honoring attitudes.

Listen, it’s hard to say. This is why we have brothers and sisters in Christ, who watch all the debates and know how to answer all the questions, but they lack devotion to our victorious Christ. They only study to answer questions, but not to be like Christ… not to know him, enjoy him, and even see the glory of God that is demonstrated when in suffering…

You see, Christ’s victory means truth will always outlast falsehood and the idols of this world. One day, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. What side are you on today. Are you devoted to the winning side… or the worldly side that would eventually fade away.

Are you devoted to the winning side of mercy… or the worldly side of worldly idols, image, recognition, fitting in, and earthly pleasures that eventually keep demanding and demanding from you without giving you mercy or rest?

And if we are defending the truth as those forgiving and made right with God, through the grace of Christ, then….  Then it does not only matter if we defend the truth, but how we defend it…

Our message of grace and peace through Christ alone shapes the manner we defend… vs 15-16 says

“Do it with gentleness and respect, keeping a good conscience.”

Think of your defense like holding a flashlight, - It is not a weapon. We don’t use light to attack the dark — we use it to help others see.

We speak as people who have been forgiven, not as people who have all the answers. We defend the faith not to win debates, but to win people — to awaken their conscience so they too can find the God who forgives.

We don’t have to be mean about it, we don’t have to condemn people, or call people stupid… In fact, if there is anything… You should not be the one calling others dom; others should be the ones calling you dom for your faith.

Remember this…

Defending your faith isn’t about having every answer — it’s about showing your hope. The world’s hopes fade, but Christ’s hope won’t disappoint. The One who defends you before God helps you defend Him before the world.