How Can I Grow Stronger at Defending My Faith?
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How to Learn Apologetics
I was asked, “How can I grow stronger at defending my faith?” While researching, I realized that the book of Jude was written to answer this exact question!
Jude tells his readers, “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jd 1:3, ESV).
This makes us ask, “So Jude, how exactly should we be contending for said once-for-all-delivered faith?”
In Jude 1:20–23, Jude shares six principles with us for getting stronger at defending the faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Being Ready to Defend Your Faith?
The first principles three fall under the heading, “How to Prepare to Defend Your Faith” (Jd 1:20–21).
Principle 1: Build yourself up in your faith (Jd 1:20).
Read, study and memorize Scripture. Be aware of its primary, secondary and tertiary doctrines—and how to tell them apart.
Learn the Bible answers to the world’s questions. The more you know your faith, the better you can defend it.
Principle 2: Pray in the Holy Spirit (Jd 1:20).
You can’t win souls; only God can. Ask for:
His truth to be made known.
His power to be shown.
His opposition to be overthrown (2 Co 10:5).
Do not be anxious about what to say (Mk 13:11). Submit your requests to God (Ph 4:6–7).
Principle 3: Wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ to eternal life (Jd 1:21).
Trust Jesus with the following three outcomes:
The result of the conversation.
The response of the unbeliever.
The reward for your faithful labor.
He is sovereign. You can (and must) trust Him. Seek to be obedient and leave what happens next to Him.
Jude says that by building yourself up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and waiting for the mercy of Jesus Christ, you will keep yourself in the love of God (Jd 1:20). Defending your faith is an act of worship, and when done right, it draws you closer to God.
How to Defend Christianity to an Unbeliever
The next three principles fall under the heading, “How to Engage.”
Principle 4: Have mercy on those who doubt (Jd. 1:22).
When someone wrestles with God’s word, they are wrestling with truth. That’s a hard place to be. Don’t attack the person—answer challenges with “gentleness and respect” (2 Peter 3:15).
You yourself have doubted many times, and Christ was merciful to you. “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37.
Principle 5: Remember the end result of unbelief is Hell (Jd. 1:23).
Apologetics is not just head-knowledge; souls at stake. Only Jesus saves (Jn 14:6) and all who reject Him go to Hell.
Commit to "snatching" unbelievers "from the fire," and you will strengthen your defense.
Principle 6: Keep the high ground (Jd. 1:23).
While defending your faith, you may be tempted to sin—by flattering, insulting, or returning evil for evil (1 Pe 3:9). Satan wants you to fall (Lk 22:31), but Jesus is greater (1 Jn 4:4). Stay close to Him and don’t give in (Ja 4:7).
What is the Main Message of Jude?
Jude makes it clear. If you want to grow stronger at defending your faith, it starts with preparing well. Keep yourself in the love of God through study, prayer and trusting the Lord. Engage with mercy, seek to save sinners, and keep yourself from sin in the process.
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