In a recent conversation with a fellow believer, I was informed that over 30 million people have left the Christian faith in the past ten years. As someone who loves numbers and facts, I decided to investigate this claim further. What I discovered was quite different. Reports indicate that over the past 25 years, around 40 million people have left the Christian faith—not 30 million in ten years. Additionally, each year approximately 2.7 million people convert to Christianity. When we extend this over 25 years, that’s about 67.5 million new believers!
I share this with you to highlight how important it is to be aware of the ways deception aims to undermine our faith. When we search online, we often find articles echoing negative sentiments, like the one my friend mentioned. This shows how crucial it is for us to contend for the faith, especially in a world filled with misinformation. Contending for the faith doesn’t mean we just tolerate lies. Instead, it means confronting falsehoods with truth and verifiable data.
In the book of Jude, we are reminded of the importance of standing firm in our faith. Jude warns us that there will be people who cause division, who follow their own ungodly desires, and who do not have the Spirit. He encourages us with these words:
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 1:20-23, NIV).
Building Yourself Up in the Faith
To build ourselves up in the faith means to consistently strengthen our relationship with God. Here are some ways to do that:
1. Read and Meditate on Scripture: The Bible is our ultimate source of truth. When we are well-versed in scripture, we are better equipped to discern truth from deception. Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (NIV).
2. Pray in the Holy Spirit: Prayer is a powerful tool that keeps us connected to God. Through prayer, we can ask for wisdom, guidance, and strength to remain steadfast in our faith. Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (NIV).
3. Keep Yourself in God’s Love: Maintaining a close relationship with God ensures that we remain in His love. This is not about earning God’s love but about living in such a way that we are constantly aware of His love for us. Romans 8:38-39 reassures us, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV).
4. Show Mercy and Help Others: As Christians, we are called to be compassionate and to help others who are struggling with doubt or who have been deceived. Galatians 6:1 encourages us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NIV).
Standing Firm in a World of Deception
In a world filled with so much misinformation and deception, we as believers must stand firm in our faith. We must be vigilant in seeking the truth, not just accepting what we hear or read. This is especially important when it comes to matters of faith. As Ephesians 4:14 says, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (NIV).
Let us be people who are rooted and grounded in God’s truth. Let us build ourselves up in our most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep ourselves in God’s love. By doing so, we can stand strong against deception and help others find the truth in Christ.
As we navigate through a world that often seeks to diminish our faith, remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV).
Let’s be diligent in our study of the Word, fervent in prayer, and relentless in love. Let’s continue to contend for the faith with truth and grace.
Great sleuthing! Thank you! 🙂