In the last devotional, we learned how to contend for the faith and why we should contend. In today’s devotional, we would be learning how to contend for the faith.

Jude 1:3

New King James Version

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

We see that this scripture refers to all believers. This scripture did not refer to apostles, pastors or teachers. Contending is for every Christian. It is our responsibility to contend for the faith. Hence, we must learn how to defend our faith and stand firm in the face of opposition.

‭Ephesians 6:10-11

New King James Version

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Paul here admonishes the church in Ephesus and tells them to be strong in the Lord and to fortify themselves by putting on the whole armour of God which he goes on to describe in succeeding verses. The end goal is that the believer might be able to stand against the devil. This shows that contending first begins with you being built up. Picture a wrestler training for a big fight. He works out and exercises himself so that he is not only able to land powerful blows but also withstand anything that his opponent might throw. In the same way, you must be solid in the faith!

II Timothy 2:15

New King James V‬ersion

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Contending for the faith starts with honouring the truth of the Word of God. Timothy is being instructed to be diligent about studying the Word of God. The use of the phrase, ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’ shows you that there is a standard when it comes to the Word of God. Anything below that standard would be wrongly dividing the word of God. Become a workman, labourer, a student when it comes to the Word of God. Seek the truth and the truth alone and grow by it. Study the Bible well enough to teach it to others. To be able to contend you must grow in the Word.

‭Romans 1:16

New King James Version

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Second, you must grow in evangelism. Like Paul, be unashamed of the gospel. Proclaim it every chance you get. Set targets for your evangelism. Our anchor verse in Jude 1:3 helps us see that there is a place for always being ready to give a defense to whoever asks you about your faith. As you share the gospel, you will meet different people with different questions. Be ready to give them an answer.

Engage with relevant resources that would improve your evangelism. Confront falsehood without cowering! If false teachers are bold about their lies, you must be even bolder about the truth! A true contender fights to win. Remember that souls are at stake. Therefore, you must strive to see that the truth prevails.

‭Ephesians 6:12

New King James V‬ersion

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Praying is another way we can contend for the faith. Our fight is not against flesh and blood, so we cannot prepare for it in the flesh! Spend time praying for those who have fallen prey to false doctrine or are yet to come to the knowledge of God. Your devotion is not complete until you partner with God in prayer to see His will fulfilled.

Before going out for evangelism, pray for the hearts of everyone you would preach to, after preaching, pray for them again. Be compassionate and sensitive. In your spreading of the truth, make sure that you remain graceful and gracious in your speech and actions. Be compassionate and tactful enough to sense the best evangelism approach for different individuals.

Finally, our battle is for the souls of men, and it is against every false ideology in the world that stands contrary to God’s Word. Therefore, to overcome every opposition, we must fight fervently and resolutely. Now more than ever, it is of utmost importance that we hold firmly to our faith and strive to see the light of the gospel shine in every heart in this dark world.

Prayer Point:

Father, even as I have learned how to contend for the faith, I fight fervently. I put all that I have heard to practice and contend for the faith. Ultimately, there is a harvest of souls.