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"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts"

Text: 1 Peter 3:15

PRACTICAL ADVICE

How does one actually overcome fear of tribulation? Peter offers a practical word.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,
and always be ready to give a defense to everyone
who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear.”
1 Peter 3:15

1. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”

a) The word “sanctify” means “to make a person holy”.

i) This was mentioned at the beginning of Peter’s epistle (1 Peter 1:2).

This results in holiness.

ii) The call to be holy comes from God Himself (1 Peter 1:16).

b) The practice of “sanctifying God in our heart”.

i) We are to remember God’s holiness.

ii) We must recall the Spirit in our hearts sanctifying us.

iii) We must determine to practise being holy at all times.

iv) This requires consciousness on our part.

2. “And always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”

a) Those who question us:

i) They could be fierce enemies.

ii) They could be interested people who want to know more about our faith.

b) “Giving a defense”

i) We must not speak in fear.

ii) We must be able to articulate our faith in the Lord effectively.

iii) We can give good answers to anyone who may query us.

iv) The Spirit of God will help us (Matthew 10:19-20).

c) The hope within us:

i) Our faith in the Lord.

ii) Our trust in the promises of God.

iii) Faith and Hope are closely related.

3. “With meekness and fear”

a) Our response must never be one of arrogance.

b) The word “meekness”:

i) Gentleness

ii) Humility

c) The word “fear”:

i) With reverence towards God.

ii) With respect towards men.