How to Correctly Respond when We are Slandered for our Faith

From Cory McCaig

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16 ESV

While being a Christian was culturally acceptable in America from her founding, it is becoming increasingly questionable by our culture today. A recent Gallup poll claims that for the first time in our history 21% of Americans declare to have no religious preference and that trend has been on the increase since 2000. The poll also sited that Christianity in any form has been on a steady decline since then and is now down to 69% of the current population.[1] With this information in mind, Christians today need to realize that we will not receive a free pass on our faith. Others will take notice of us if we live and walk consistently for Christ. So, what do we do if people do not approve of our faith? What do we do if people ridicule us for our stance for Jesus? To help us find the answer, lets look to 1 Peter 3:15-16.    

As we can, see Peter is focusing on how believers respond when questioned about the reason for their hope. He calls for “gentleness and respect” as we respond to those who are questioning the “reason” for our hope, either with positive motives or with negative motives. In verse 16, Peter focuses on the negative side in regard to those who slander and revile Christians. So how are we supposed to handle that?

Peter tells us that the best defense against such attacks is a “good conscience” and to have “good behavior.” First, let’s explore what he means by conscience. When I think of this word, I immediately think of Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio. Yet, this term isn’t a fairytale idea. Our conscience is the awareness that we have within us of our conduct. It is our inner compass of judging what is morally right or wrong. Every person is born with a conscience and even unbelievers have one working in them (see Romans 2:14-15). It is important, though to understand that the conscience is not perfect and is heavily influenced by sin. This is why sinners can continue to do sinful actions without feeling any hesitation from their conscience. However, Christians have been regenerated and the presence of the Holy Spirit resides within us. The Holy Spirit uses our conscience to convict us as part of our sanctification. The more we grow spiritually and the more we seek to live in the will and Word of God, the more our conscience gets fine-tuned. When a Christian commits a sin, his conscience accuses him by making him aware of his wrongdoing. This is felt with guilt, shame, doubt, and despair.

Consequently, for us as Christians, to have a “good” conscience means that our lives must not have anything hidden that we feel guilty about. This is a life that is free from unconfessed sin and holds to personal integrity. When we are falsely accused and have a good conscience, we can face these attacks pure and clear from guilt. As a result, we will be able to respond with boldness, courage, and peace. This is what Paul proclaimed as his motivation when he was falsely accused: “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” – Acts 24:16 ESV. On the other hand, if we are living in sin or we are hiding secret unconfessed sin, we will fail to be a witness for Christ and we will struggle under the weight of harsh accusation, because we already feel guilty.

Next, let’s briefly look at the second line of defense when falsely attacked, good behavior. It is obvious that a good conscience and having good conduct go hand in hand. Peter, in verse 16, provides for us the motivation behind our behavior. Notice that he points out good behavior “in Christ.” This is a life with behavior that is devoted to Christ and motivated by Christ. No amount of hypocritical or legalistic behavior will stand up to harsh scrutiny and degradation. Yet a life that is lived out with faithfulness to the teachings and the example of Jesus will prove any accuser wrong.

Peter ends our passage by pointing out that the accuser will have the tables turned on them. If they slander and revile a believer who has a good conscience and practices good behavior in Christ, then they will be the one who will feel shame. Shame will well up in their own conscience for how they have treated the Christian. This reminds us that the life of the believer is just as important as the message of the believer. Someone once wrote, “A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God.”[2]

Notice that when we are verbally attacked for our faith that Peter doesn’t call for us to fight back. He doesn’t tell us to rant about how miss treated we are on social media. He doesn’t tell us to do anything in response.  Finally, Peter is saying that if our conscience is clear and our behavior is in line with Christ there is nothing else for us to do.  Instead, we are to let God handle the matter. We aren’t to bring shame on them; the Holy Spirit will do that.  It is our responsibility to stay faithful to our Lord no matter what anyone says about us. This isn’t easy, but this is what faith lived out really looks like.

[1] news.gallup.com/poll/358364/religious-americans.aspx

[2] The Letters of James and Peter by William Barclay, pg. 231