Reflection #4: Know the enemy, use his ammo

this reflection is from chapter two, of which discusses Justin Martyr:

how often do we fully understand what we are fighting? think about it.....how much do we really know about ways of thinking like atheism, agnostic's, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, etc. what fascinated me most about Justin Martyr is that he knew what he was up against. but more than just know, he understood how they thought and why. granted this is in part because he was once one of them, but still.

because he understood what they believed and why, he was able to answer the gnawing questions in a way they understood, without watering down the Gospel. that i think is the key. so often i think we sacrifice the heart of the message of Christ in turn for the person to "accept Christ". what good does the acceptance of Him do, if they don't even know the real deal?

i think Justin got that. i think of others in Scripture, like Peter, Paul, Stephen, who were all persecuted for the message. they also took it to those around them and presented it in a way that was understandable without jeopardizing the heart of it.

i am challenged. i am once again, as i am finding to become regular with each reading, convicted. how often do i water down the message just to get a person to listen to me? or go at it in a way that they don't understand? i believe it is vital that we understand what we are up against (after knowing well what it is we proclaim), and challenge it in a way that is understandable. this is the example i see set before me not only with Justin, but the Apostles, and even Jesus.

might we take notice and follow suit?