To Reply or to not Reply?

When to reply a defence?

(i) When it’s for someone who sincerely asks a ‘reason’ (defence, wanting to know further to consider) the ‘hope’ that’s in you as it is written:

“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15)

(ii) No obligation to answer a person whose intent is just to ‘fight you’ (instead of considering to see ‘why you believe so’):

“Avoiding strife brings a man honor, but every fool is quarrelsome.” (Proverbs 20:3)

Examples:

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” (Titus 3:9)

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” (2 Timothy 2:23)

Conclusion: Why?

God’s Sovereignty.

Because ‘nothing’ stops the ‘Will of God’ and we need not worry about their opposition:

“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” (Isaiah 46:10)

In fact, our citizenship is in heaven and ‘He will’ subject ‘all’ things to Himself (we need not worry beyond preaching it if it’s rejected or opposed) as it’s written clearly in verse below encouragingly:

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20 – 21)

P/S:

Reason for such a contentment:

“I have known that all that God doth is to the age, to it nothing is to be added, and from it nothing is to be withdrawn; and God hath wrought that they do fear before Him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)