How do I defend my Faith (In a Kind & Loving way)?

Question

Ok I know this is a difficult question , But I will try to ask it any way. May be some one who is out there will know the answer?

How do I go about defending my Faith (my Religious & Spiritual beliefs WITH OUT ARGUING OR FIGHTING. I believe that Religion is not some thing to argue or fight about ,but instead some thing to being us closer to God & closer to each other. So usually when some one tries to start up with me about what I believe I try to tell about my beliefs (because there is a lot of confusion about what Catholic's do & believe , but they act as if they don't hear me & say that I am wrong.

(please answer respectful this question is not meant to start a debate, Please no insult the beliefs of others or flaming thanks you for your time God bless you)

Since folks have asked & I didn't really say it in my question very clearly. My Religion is Catholic (Christian).

Answer 1

This is difficult really. Because when someone is first saved or healed, etc. that someone wants to tell someone, where when they share their testimony, others argue & tell them their God isn't real. So this is wounds.

Then when one brings up a similar thing, then you try to tell your testimony, you could get anxious as soon as the other person tells you, that you are wrong & know nothing. You can't defend your faith to those. But you need to tell God that you still know He loves you and will never leave you or forsake you. That you trust God and not mans teachings. Or if others think you are right or not.

Also, answering yahoo questions or asking them has helped me much in overcoming anxiety, because of past wounds of being yelled at that I have nothing to say. Because, I can answer completely without getting yelled at. I don't yell at others, & it hurts me inside when someone yells at me. So, in the process of going over similar topics, I have learned how to communcate my thoughts easier and more simpler, where it helps me talk about them to others in life also. I had to overcome some deep wounds associated to people asking me a question, then when I try to answer, told to shut up that I know nothing.

Also, I don't know what your faith is? Is it truly in God & Jesus, that you trust & obey this God? Then it doesn't so much matter whether others think your faith is wrong. It matters that your faith is in God & you trust & obey God.

Answer 2

If someone gets on your about your faith say I have a right to believe what I believe as do you. Then change the subject or walk away. (and always say it calmly , some people just want to argue) If you can't do that then try to find the things you do agree on. My dad was Protestant and his half brother and sister Catholic so I have been through this with cousins. It's amazing how much we can agree on.
Even people in the same church don't believe everything exactly the same.
Also your faith is best shown by what kind of person you are and how you treat others, I tend to show my faith more than speak about it.
God bless you too and thanks!

Answer 3

As a Christian, you are suppose to know about your God, your relationship with God and about his WORD, the Bible.

As you walk in the Lord, you will experience a lot of good and bad things. Some will test your faith. Others will bring out the doubt in your mind.

There are people out there who do ask questions just for the sake of debating or putting you down. But there are countless people in the world who are really searching for God and that they need answers. That is why you need to be discerning.

There will come a time when you have to defend your faith; when you need to answer questions about the Bible and about Jesus. Sometimes, you have the answers. Sometimes you don't.

I learned this the hard way: We humans are not in the business of convicting people. It is the HOLY SPIRIT'S "job" to do that. We are just told to share the gospel to people.

The best way to defend your faith is not just in words but more powerfully, in ACTIONS. Live your faith. Show it to people. Be loving and caring. Comfort people. Do what the Bible says. Be the walking sermon.

Remember Jesus? Yes, he talked and preached. But what really won the crowd was not the miracles he did but the compassion he showed to people. How he ate with them and talked to them. How he treated them special when society called them sinners or outcasts.

When they see this from you, they will see your faith in action. And they will take notice because you are everything the world is not. And they will start asking you questions as to why you are like that.

I have met so many people who know the Bible inside and out, who have studied in the best Bible schools and have earned degrees. Unfortunately, what they know in their brains is not being applied in ther life. A sad and true reality.

I do hope this encourages you, my friend.

Answer 4

It can be very tough if someone is trying to argue with you, or trying to prove you wrong. Probably the best thing you can do is just remain patient and keep your voice calm and speak in a pleasant tone. Always try to respect the right of the other person to believe as they do, even if you think they are wrong. Perhaps the person will then reciprocate and realize he or she ought to respect your right to believe as you do.

You can use certain phrases that help keep the conversation kind and respectful, such as "The way I see it...." Or, "Yes, I understand why it may seem that way to you, but the way I see it is...."

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

All you have to do is PREACH THE WORD.
Don't argue, simple tell people what God has said.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the WORD' be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

3- For the time WILL come when they WILL NOT endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, HAVING ITCHING EARS;

4-And they SHALL turn away their ears FROM the truth, and shall be turned to fables.

5-But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full PROOF of the ministry.

Don't ever say I THINK, always have a scripture, which is God talking not you. Then if people argue, they are arguing with God.

Answer 6

The key is to be simple yet firm and solid without the negative emotions. You don't have to convince anyone, just state your case. Realize that there are people that are gifted to know what you know, and that is your true kin. Not everyone is blessed to see and know, and it's not your job to do it. Just by stating your principles with confidence and letting the chips fall where they may is all you have to do. Setting an example by living your faith is good enough. You don't have to have the last word; save that for someone else on the last day.

Answer 7

Read 2nd Timothy. I believe it will help you alot, specially chapter 4 addresses your question.

The first thing is, God tells us not to get into vain disputes for they just create strife. We know that were strife is there is every evil work. If someone is not asking you a question to help them grow, then why are they asking you. Many people just want to get into disputes. If they are a true servant of God then they will teach you through meekness. Sometimes as babes we tend to want to teach everyone what we know, but we don't know how to teach so we run people off.

You must learn to first seek God for yourself concerning the truth of His word. We can't solely depend on man. Our trust must be in God and we must know Him for our self. Study to show yourself approved. You must know the truth and not doubt what you know. If you are not careful people will confuse you so much that you'll be persuaded to becoming an atheist or agnostic because you don't know what to believe. If you seek the Father, then He, through the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. Just remember not everyone will receive what you have to say. They didn't believe in Jesus.

Answer 8

well first off it depends, are you a Muslim? Christian? Hindu? Catholic etc? Unless I know who you are then it will be difficult to help you.

I'm a Christian and the way I defend my faith is by knowing my Bible. The more I can shut my mouth and speak the word of God the less people will have to refute me because I have seen God's word working. It's powerful.

Answer 9

I would discourage you from using bible versus as if they were holy hand grenades. Instead I would try to tell them in a kind and loving way that we each have to develop our own personal relationship with God. That although we, as Christians, may disagree about somethings, God has promised that the sincere believer will be saved and that each of us will stand before God on our own come judgment day.

Answer 10

There is polemics and there is apologetics. Polemics means that you attack the logical inconsistencies in someone else's position. Apologetics means that you define your own point of view. Here is my advice:

1) Never engage in polemics. Let people believe what they want, and don't waste your time trying to refute their doctrines.

2) Know what you believe. Do not make any assumptions about your beliefs. Know the terminology, and know exactly what that terminology means. If you stick to the official doctrines of the Church, make sure that you know what those doctrines are, and why they are 'official.' If you deviate from official doctrine, be sure to know why, and put together a precedent (i.e. based on theologians who saw things the same way that you do).

3) Avoid logical fallacies. Study informal fallacies and make sure that you don't make any of them.

4) Try to justify your position as you see fit, but don't waste your time preaching to somebody who doesn't want to listen. In other words, don't cast your pearls before swine.

Examples. I am Eastern Orthodox. I base my opinions on recognized sources: Scripture, the Ecumenical Synods, local synods ratified by the Ecumenical Synods, theologians whose works were cited in the decisions of the Ecumenical Synods (i.e. the Church Fathers). Many of my beliefs are at odds with the usual Orthodox opinion (universalism, evolution, etc.), but I am able to justify my position by appealing to established Orthodox sources who advocated the same position.