The living and enduring Word of God brought you to new birth – so make sure your words are life-giving rather than malicious or abusive.
Peter expects us to be giving an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3v15). In my article last month, we saw that this means speaking about the resurrection of Jesus, and the eternal glory that awaits us, when people ask how we manage to keep going through struggle. We speak of Jesus – but we should also speak like Jesus.
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3v15-17, NIV)
We live in a culture of deception – so what?
The phrase "it does what it says on the tin" suggests transparency and, certainly, no surprises. But if you buy …