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 behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15–16, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “The Church can never be the salt of the earth if we keep sugar coating our message.” (seen on the internet). Yes, we want people to see our good behavior when we “give [our] reason,” by doing so with “gentleness and respect,” but not by “sugar coating our message.” The best way to avoid “the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming [is by] speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:14–15, NIV 1984). Not by compromising the truth. That is the most unloving thing to do.
My Advice – “Keep a clear conscience.“
The Brew Is A Musing 