Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)
A TESTIMONY OF GOOD DEEDS
Growing up, there was a certain set of rules my parents wanted us to follow. They weren’t overly strict, but they had expectations—curfews, manners, and respect. If we broke the rules, there were always consequences. These boundaries mattered because they shaped who we were. We didn’t just follow them for the sake of following rules; we followed them because they were about living rightly and representing our family well.
Peter gives us a similar principle when it comes to living as Christians. As we fight sin and walk through this world, he says we should look different, especially among non-believers (the Gentiles). Our goal isn’t just to appear different for the sake of being different or to gain others’ approval. We don’t uphold Christian standards to polish our image, fit in with church culture, or give ourselves a sense of moral superiority. We aim to live in a way that brings glory to God.
You’ve probably had moments in your life when others spoke down to you for what you believe in and stand up for. In those moments, it’s tempting to feel awkward, embarrassed, or like the odd one out. Maybe you’ve been in a situation where you were tempted to compromise just to fit in or not cause waves. Maybe you’ve thought, “I don’t want people to think I’m weird for my faith.” It’s easy to feel like our convictions make us outsiders.
But what if we saw those moments differently? What if, instead of feeling embarrassed, we saw them as opportunities to glorify God? When Peter says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable,” he’s inviting us to live in a way that points back to God. When people question why we live the way we do, that’s a chance to speak of our love for God, not a time to shrink back.
This isn’t just about saying “no” to certain behaviors. It’s about doing so with purpose. Peter says that even when others “speak against you as evildoers,” our good deeds can stand as a witness. When people mock you, slander you, or question you, your commitment to live honorably has the power to make them stop and wonder.
It can be tough being a Christian today. The pressures we face are very real. Culture often pushes us to embrace values that contradict what we believe. The more we resist, the more we stand out. But here’s the thing: just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean we should shy away. If anything, the difficulty should remind us how important it is to hold the line.
When others speak against your faith, whether it’s in a classroom, a workplace, or even in your friend group, what will your response be? Will you hide in discomfort, or will you let your love for God shine? We are called to be witnesses to the gospel. Part of that witness comes through the way we live. People are watching, and while we may not always see the fruit right away, we never know how God is using our lives to plant seeds in others.
I want to encourage you: don’t give up! The way you live matters. And not just because it makes you look good, but because your life has the potential to bring glory to God in ways you can’t even imagine. Maybe your neighbor notices how patient you are when things get stressful. Maybe your classmate sees how kind you are to those who are overlooked. Maybe, one day, that coworker who once thought your faith was a joke will come to you in a time of crisis, asking about the hope they’ve seen in you all along. Our good deeds, even in the face of opposition, can be a powerful testimony to the One we serve. Let’s live sent—with purpose and on purpose!
Sellers Hickman serves as College Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their one year old, Emery. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.
