July 9, 2024

Reflection – How to Respond When Your Faith is Challenged

How do you respond when your faith is challenged? Secular humanism, moral relativism, and political correctness have become the norm in contemporary Western society, a fact that makes life difficult for Christians.

Secular humanism is a worldview that rejects the God of Holy Scripture. In this worldview, man is god.

Moral relativism is based on the belief that there are no absolute rights and wrongs; everything is relative, and individuals are empowered to decide for themselves what is right or wrong.

Political correctness is societal pressure to avoid offending anyone, particularly when it comes to matters of race, religion, and gender.

A dilemma Christians face in their daily lives is how to be faithful to their beliefs when interacting with people who vocally and sometimes hurtfully reject them. This is especially true when our faith is being challenged because of the ungodly behavior of others we are surrounded by and may even love. In such cases, it is easy to feel pulled in opposite directions.

It should come as no surprise that Christians encounter faith-related trials. Rejection of God’s will started in the Garden of Eden. Nevertheless, it can be difficult for Christians to live their faith amid people who reject Christ. This is a difficult task in view of our Christian commitment to loving our neighbors as ourselves.

In today’s culture, your faith is going to be challenged. Count on it, and do not be surprised when it happens. Christ warned us of this in John 15:18. Understand that the devil is a predator who never stops hunting, and you, like all Christians, are his prey (1 Peter 5:8). When your faith is challenged, don’t despair. Instead, remember this: suffering in the short run for your beliefs is better than suffering in the long run for compromising them. Persevering in the faith is always the right decision when your Christian beliefs are attacked.

Consistently living your faith is almost guaranteed to cause problems from time to time. In fact, the closer you walk with the Lord, the more challenges you are likely to face in today’s increasingly anti-Christian environment. Nevertheless, maintaining your faith when others reject it is always the right choice. Consider what is written in Hebrews 12:3. This verse reminds us that Christ suffered for us and that there has never been a time when Christians did not suffer for their faith. Consequently, we should not grow weary when we have to suffer. Suffering for our faith is part of being a Christian.

So, how should you and I respond when those who reject Christ challenge our faith? Here is a five-step approach called a “First-Response Model.” The model summarizes the first steps Christians can take when confronted with faith-related challenges.

Step 1: Avoid responding out of anger, fear, or frustration.

It is important to stand firm in your faith when others attack it; it is equally important to respond in a Christ-like manner. On the one hand, you are not called to be a doormat for people who reject Christ. Recall when Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness. Jesus responded with the authority of His Father rather than out of anger, fear, or frustration. Christ is our example.

Responses that are driven by anger, fear, or frustration are not likely to be Christ-like responses. Consequently, when you feel like responding in a way that would reflect poorly on Christ, take a deep breath and don’t respond at all, at least not in the moment. Follow the guidance provided in Psalms 37:8 where we are told to refrain from anger because it leads only to evil. Instead, step back and give yourself time to complete the remaining steps in this model.

Step 2: Pray for guidance.

Never deal with faith-related trials without enlisting the help of God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul says we are to pray constantly. The Holy Spirit is right there with you. He will be there at your side as you confront faith-related challenges. Seek God’s guidance through prayer. Remember, Proverbs 20:24 suggests we cannot understand even our own way without the help of the Lord.

When you pray, ask Christ what He would have you do. Then listen. Never make the mistake of trying to go it alone or of thinking you are self-sufficient. Without the help of God, Satan will win, and you will lose.

Step 3: Seek guidance in Scripture.

Every challenge you will ever face is spoken to in the Bible. Holy Scripture provides God’s guidance concerning how we should live, interact with others, face dilemmas, and solve problems, as well as how we should honor Him in how we do these things. Consequently, when facing faith-related trials, it is wise to consult Scripture before taking action of any kind. A word of caution is appropriate at this point.

When you consult Scripture, do so to determine what God would have you do in a given situation, not to validate what you have already decided to do. Using the Bible to rationalize decisions you have already made is neither wise nor innocent. The Bible does not always tell you what you want to hear, but it does tell you what you need to hear.

Step 4: Seek the wise counsel of Godly men and women.

One of the many benefits of being a Christian with a church family is that you have a lot of brothers and sisters in Christ to help you face challenges to your faith. A fellow Christian might have already faced the challenge confronting you now. That individual’s experiences—both good and bad—might help you formulate your response. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of wisdom.

The Bible is clear in its admonition that Christians are to seek the counsel of Godly men and women. Proverbs 12:15 illustrates that seeking wise counsel is the smart thing to do. Never skip this step. God might use one of your brothers or sisters in Christ to help you deal with the challenge you are facing.

Step 5: Translate Scriptural guidance and wise counsel into practical action.

Your best guidance for confronting faith-related challenges will come from prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking the wise counsel of Christian brothers and sisters. The answers you need are available, but it’s not enough to pray, read Scripture, and seek wise counsel. You can’t just stop there. Rather, you have to translate what you learn from these exercises into practical action.

How to put Scriptural guidance and wise counsel into action will not always be obvious. Consequently, it is important to remember the message in Matthew 10:16: be both wise and. be tactful, kind, and respectful, but do not deviate from the path God has set for you.

Finally, I (Chaplain Allen) am reminded of my daughter’s life commandment which was given by her mother just before she died of cancer: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make straight your path.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Blessings and peace,

Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org

———–

Source: Edited by the Chaplain from an article by David L. Goetsch, author of Christian Women on the Job: Excelling at Work without Compromising Your Faith, www.david-goetsch.com It was originally published as a Weekly Reflection in 2020.

Note: The thoughts contained in this Reflection are those of the chaplain alone and do not necessarily correspond to those of any individual or organization he may be associated with. While consistent with the Chaplain’s views, most of this Reflection has been lifted from the referenced article by David L. Goetsch.

Read more Reflections: Chaplain’s Corner.