13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Winning at witnessing is not about arguments or techniques, but about a Christ-centred heart, a prepared mind, and a gracious life—especially in the face of suffering.
We may struggle with the idea of suffering, and suffering for Jesus, because we can so focussed on receiving blessings. Remember, the blessings of the Beatitudes come because of action, they are not isolated things.
Peter in his letter to the exiles (the scattered church) in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia redefines winning.
Peter calls them “exiles” or “foreigners” (1:1; 2:11).
This means:
- They were spiritually not fully at home in the surrounding culture.
- They lived as marginalised minorities in a pagan society
- Their faith made them socially awkward, misunderstood, and others were suspicious of them.
A theme running throughout the letter: how to live faithfully when you don’t belong.
This passage was written to believers under pressure, not comfort—making it highly relevant today.
Many believers think “winning at witnessing” means getting someone to agree or convert. Often it is about moving people one step closer to Jesus. There is no ‘silver bullet’ argument, but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts people and leads them to Christ.
Winning at Witnessing means the following:
1. Get a Christ-Centred Heart
15a: “But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy…”
“Honour Christ the Lord” means Christ rules your inner life. Witnessing flows from who sits on the throne of your heart. Fear of people is replaced by reverence for Christ.
Before speaking about Christ, we must submit to Christ. A divided heart weakens our witness.
In team sports, whether it’s football, rugby, or cricket, the captain sets the tone. You can have star players, but if the captain is ignored, the team falls apart. Witnessing fails when Christ is on the pitch but not wearing the captain’s armband.
If Jesus is not Lord of your heart we have nothing to witness about.
2. Get Ready
Verse 15b: “Always be prepared to give an answer…”
“Give an answer” (Greek apologia, where we get the word apologetics) means a thoughtful, reasoned response, not a fight. Too many Christians are trying to win arguments but not souls.
You don’t wait until your car breaks down on the M25 to think about maintenance—you prepare with the MOT and regular servicing in advance. Many Christians treat faith the opposite way. They wait until a someone asks, “How can a loving God allow suffering?” “Isn’t Christianity man-made?” and then panic.
Preparation isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about being calm, clear, and confident when faith is questioned.
People ask because they see hope displayed. Hope is visible before it is verbal.
Know what you believe and why you believe it. Preparation builds confidence, not arrogance.
3. Get the Right Attitude
Verse 15c: But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Truth without grace repels; grace without truth misleads.
Gentleness reflects Christ’s character. Respect affirms the value of the person, even if they reject the message.
Britain increasingly sees Christianity through the lens of angry comment threads and confrontational debates. Many people associate faith with shouting, sarcasm, or moral superiority.
Peter cuts straight through that: gentleness and respect. In a culture tired of outrage, a gracious Christian stands out.
You don’t have to raise your voice to raise Christ’s name.
4. Get Your Life in Order
16-17: Keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
A consistent life gives credibility to our words.
Suffering does not defeat our witness—it often strengthens it.
In some workplaces, evangelism is frowned upon—but character is constantly observed.
When a Christian refuses to gossip, works honestly, treats people fairly, and remains kind under pressure colleagues quietly take notice.
People may dismiss our beliefs, but they struggle to dismiss a consistently good life.
Live so accusations fall apart under scrutiny.
Early Christians were accused of many things, but even their enemies admitted: “They love one another.” Their lives authenticated their message.
Below is an exert of a passage from the Letter to Diognetus that explains what a Christian is. (There are several version of this floating around the internet.) The text comes primarily from chapters 5–6, the most frequently quoted section; and an early Christian apologetic writing, late 1st–early 2nd century:
“For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom.
For they do not live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some strange dialect, nor do they practise an eccentric way of life.
This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the thought or intellect of inquisitive people, nor do they advocate a merely human doctrine, as some do.
They live in their own countries, but only as foreigners.
They participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as strangers.
Every foreign land is their homeland, and every homeland is a foreign land.
They marry like everyone else and have children, but they do not abort their offspring.
They share their food, but not their wives.
They are in the world, but they do not live according to the world.
They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.
They obey the established laws, and in their own lives they surpass the laws.
They love everyone, and are persecuted by all.
They are unknown, and yet they are condemned.
They are put to death, and yet they are brought to life.
They are poor, and yet they make many rich.
They lack everything, and yet they abound in everything.
They are dishonoured, and yet in their dishonour they are glorified.
They are slandered, and yet they are vindicated.
They are cursed, and yet they bless.
They are insulted, and yet they repay the insult with honour.
They do good, yet are punished as evildoers.
When punished, they rejoice as though being brought to life.
They are attacked as foreigners, and they are persecuted; yet those who hate them cannot give a reason for their hostility.”
5. Give Jesus the Results
18-22: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Jesus is the ultimate example of faithful witness through suffering. The resurrection proves that apparent defeat can be ultimate victory.
Our role is faithfulness; God handles outcomes.
William Wilberforce fought the slave trade in Parliament for decades. For years, it looked like failure. He was mocked, outvoted, and worn down. Yet he remained faithful, driven by Christ. The Slavery Abolition Acts of 1833 was passed a few days before he died. But it was only enacted (become law) a year later. Victory came after he died—but it came.
Faithfulness today may not look like success—but resurrection often comes after perseverance.
Landing This Message:
You may never know how God uses your words or your suffering—but when Christ is honoured in your heart, your witness is never wasted.
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