You Cannot Defend the Faith if You Are Offended by the Faith

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." — 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (KJV)

I was fellowshipping with my Spiritual Father, Dr. Joshua W. Stewart, this blog was born! He said so profoundly to me, "Son, you cannot defend the faith if you are offended by the faith!!" I began to think... So, here are my thoughts, inspired by the man of God, Dr. J.W. Stewart.

Introduction

In this age of watered-down truth and diluted doctrine, it has become increasingly common to see believers who struggle not with unbelief—but with offense at their faith. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy of a time when many would fall away, not due to lack of exposure, but to being seduced by alternative messages catering to the flesh rather than challenging the soul.

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Offended By The Standard

The faith we are called to defend is a holy faith. It is uncompromising, rooted in God's righteousness, and often confronts the comfort zones of both the culture and the carnal believer. But if we find ourselves offended by what the Word requires—repentance, holiness, obedience, and submission—how can we rise to defend it?

Offense is the doorway to apostasy. A heart offended by God's truth will eventually redefine truth to fit its wounds, preferences, or past experiences. What begins as discomfort soon becomes disdain, and from there, denial. This is the slow drift Paul described, departing from the faith because our hearts no longer agree with Heaven.

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Defending What You Reject

You cannot defend what you secretly disagree with. You cannot preach what you are still debating. You cannot disciple others in a truth that still offends your soul. Too many believers want to defend the Kingdom without dying to themselves. They want to be apologists but not worshipers, proclaimers without submission, soldiers without scars. But faith offends before it heals. It exposes before it restores. And unless we embrace God's whole counsel, we will end up promoting a version of faith that lacks conviction, power, and transformation!

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The Danger of a Seared Conscience

Paul describes those who fall away as having their conscience "seared with a hot iron." This speaks to a loss of sensitivity—when the voice of God no longer convicts, when truth no longer pierces. This condition often starts with offense. When truth offends us, instead of yielding, we resist! And over time, our hearts grow dull and rigid. But make no mistake: you can attend church, quote Scriptures, sing worship songs, and still be subtly offended by the faith, especially when it demands what your flesh refuses to surrender!

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Return to the Fear of the Lord

To effectively defend the faith, we must first submit to it fully. We must let the Word correct us before we seek to correct others. Embracing its demands is essential before we proudly carry the banner of its truth.

This is a strong call to the Body of Christ: if you're grappling with aspects of Scripture, doctrines that seem "too harsh," or standards that feel "outdated," take a moment to examine your heart. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where offense may have crept in. Repent, realign, and stand firm. Remember, God's truth remains constant; it is we who must change in response to it.

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In My Conclusion

In the days ahead, the world will not need more comfortable Christians. It will require courageous ones who are not ashamed of the Gospel, not offended by its truth, and not afraid to stand when others bow. But before we can defend the faith publicly, we must be delivered from offense privately because you cannot defend the faith if you are offended by the faith.

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Prophetically Pray With Me:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before You with a surrendered heart. I repent for every place in me that has resisted Your truth, where I have been offended by the very faith I am called to defend. Lord, purge me from the spirit of offense, from pride that rises when Your Word confronts my flesh, and from any rebellion that hides beneath religious appearance.

Holy Spirit, expose the subtle seductions that attempt to draw me away from the sound doctrine of the Kingdom. I renounce every lie, every twisted teaching, and every compromise that seeks to make faith more palatable but less powerful. Awaken my conscience again. Remove the searing of past wounds, past disappointments, or false doctrines, and restore the sensitivity of my heart to Your conviction and correction.

Father, rekindle the fire of holy reverence. Let the fear of the Lord grip me again—not fear that drives me from You, but fear that draws me closer in awe and trembling. Burn away the offense. Break the hardness. Uncover every hidden argument in my heart that lifts itself against the knowledge of Christ.

I prophesy alignment over my soul. Let my spirit come into agreement with the whole counsel of God. I will not flinch at truth. I will not retreat from righteousness. I will not be silenced by culture or seduced by comfort. I am called to contend for the faith and shall do so with boldness, purity, and authority.

Raise in me a voice that defends Heaven's decree. Let my life be a living epistle, unoffended by correction and unashamed of the Gospel. Clothe me in truth, shield me with grace, and anchor me in sound doctrine.

And now, in Jesus' name, I break every spirit of confusion, compromise, and counterfeit teaching. I cast down offense and receive the fullness of Your Word with joy. I declare: I am not offended by the faith but possessed by it. I will defend what I have embraced and speak what I live.

For the glory of the King and the advancement of the Kingdom—SO LET IT BE SPOKEN, SO LET IT BE DONE! IN JESUS' NAME, Amen!