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. DEFENCE FOR THE FAITH. "But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defence before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect." (1 Peter 3:15). "Watch your chance and defend yourself against wrong, and do not be over-modest in your own cause; for there is a (false) modesty that leads to sin, as well as a modesty that brings honour and favour." (Eccus 4:20,21 NEB). "When you are brought before synagogues and state authorities, do not begin worrying about how you will conduct your defence or what you will say. For when the time comes the Holy Spirit will instruct you what to say." (Luke 12:11,12 NEB). "But before all this happens they will set upon you and persecute you. You will be brought before synagogues and put in prison; you will be haled before kings and governors for your allegiance to me. This will be your opportunity to testify; so make up your minds not to prepare your defence beforehand, because I myself will give you power of utterance and a wisdom which no opponent will be able to resist or refute." (Luke 21:12-15 NEB). "…because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12).
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