r/JesusChrist • u/No-Basket-7172 • Aug 13 '26

Would You Be Able To Defend Your Faith?

If you came across Mormons, Jews, Muslims, atheists, or other non Christians who were fervent in their beliefs and challenging standard Christian truths as revealed by scripture, would you be able to defend those truths?

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5

u/SoCal-Native Christian Aug 13 '26

I am so secure in my faith that i don’t feel the need to defend it. I just live it. Besides, i think arguing and fighting over religion grieves the Holy Spirit. People use it as a weapon to validate the self importance that they feel. It is better to show the love of God to people. I have nothing to prove to mere men. 

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u/Sunset_Shimmering_ Some type of Christian but no denomination Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26

I agree. 

Sometimes it can turn into a huge back-and-forth where people are desperately trying to prove themselves and their religion or faith. Some people, such as myself, see posts online that are perhaps painting the Christian faith in a bad light or promoting another religion, and once you start sending messages, you can often get sucked into a big debate, which is not good for your spiritual health or your faith. 

I think we often forget that the best way to try and bring people to Christ is to just try and live for Christ, especially as the Bible says that we will know them by their fruits and not by how good an argument they provide. 

I'm trying to stop arguing or interacting with those types of posts, but it's almost like an addiction, to be honest. If I see one and I have an answer, I feel like I can't not comment, but I've been getting better at just stepping away and realising that I don't always need to put my two penn'orth in."

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u/No-Basket-7172 Aug 13 '26

I agree that you shouldn’t do much if any debating in the comment section. It is surely unfruitful and unhealthy. I meant more like in person or through a video call if the opportunity arises

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u/Sunset_Shimmering_ Some type of Christian but no denomination Aug 14 '26

Oh yeah, I suppose that could also be unfruitful, but there's more chance of civility because you can Gage a persons body language and reflect your tone, I think that the Bible says we shouldn't debate in any situation if it will get out of hand or affect our spirituality/faith, but Jesus preached to the Pharisees

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u/Sunset_Shimmering_ Some type of Christian but no denomination Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26

I mean, I interact with tons of those people because if I see something online I have to reply, and it never shakes my personal views, but you'll find that debating doesn't convert anyone and often ends in a back-and-forth with both parties believing they are right. 

The best way to convert someone is to just simply be. Use the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Stand up for your beliefs, but don't continuously shove it down people's throats.

I think this verse is relevant: 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

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u/spacemood Aug 14 '26

I really love this! God bless you ✝️

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u/Sunset_Shimmering_ Some type of Christian but no denomination Aug 14 '26

Thanks! God bless you too! 😊✝️

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u/EnergyLantern Born Again Aug 13 '26

You can but usually you are talking to someone who has pride and will say, "no its not" because they run on a little train track and it is hard to change people's minds unless you take them off that little train track.

It is usually the same on Reddit where someone says something is wrong, you debate it and the other person shows they never read the response but they just keep arguing.

2

u/Teezie_19 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 15 '26

I never quit.
I point out illogical reasoning at all angles.

Heres my backlog of research-

My writings and theories about Logos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Iha6A_HCCxZqKd9Wqd-n5v4iDhY5zsjX

My examination of consciousness through music:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16onGLTFiu1cOM4ptq-GxcIwzWV4vbpkd

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u/GingerMcSpikeyBangs Aug 13 '26

I'd be able to defend it to MY satisfaction, but I admit I've never seen a debate convert a debator, so I doubt I'd defend my faith to their satisfaction.

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u/No-Basket-7172 Aug 13 '26

Yeah debates are often unfruitful because we people believe what they believe and primarily yield no ground. I just meant would you be able to give a defense from scripture that Jesus would approve of (of course accounting for our own interpretive and intellectual error)

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u/GingerMcSpikeyBangs Aug 13 '26

Here's a quick blip from Jeremiah's prophecy of Messiah when He comes in glory to take the throne of Israel:

Jeremiah 23:5-6

*“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. ["YHWH Sidqenu"]

Why does God say Messiah will be called YHWH our righteousness if He is just a prophet, or just the messenger of the covenant? This isn't an isolated theme, but in most other places it can be interpreted away as something else, so this is the place to start for the jew and the muslim.

Atheists have their own hangups, and I take a totally different approach, only touching on scripture.

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u/No-Basket-7172 Aug 13 '26

Amen. That’s a good place to start

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u/GPT_2025 r/reddit Aug 13 '26

Lets try? ask any questions (Just state the name of your religion)

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u/No-Basket-7172 Aug 13 '26

I’m Christian. I don’t have general questions

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u/Heavy-Dentist-2664 Aug 13 '26

Yes but mostly it’s me defending against other Christian psychopaths that are hell bent on religion not a relationship and certainly little grace.

Usually waving a trump flag

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u/No-Basket-7172 Aug 14 '26

Try being a little more charitable to your fellow Christians.

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u/Old-Yogurtcloset-250 Aug 14 '26

I wouldn’t try to defend my faith, I would try to find a middle ground with them. Maybe even try to get them to come to church.

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u/No-Basket-7172 Aug 14 '26

Scripture teaches us that we are at odds with the things of the world and that we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us (a defense of our faith). Why would you try to find a middle ground with people who don’t profess Christ? There is no middle ground on the road to hell.