It’s Wednesday, which means tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. Most folks try to spend the day with family. Often, we end up sharing a meal with people we only see several times a year or less. Of course, it’s a great opportunity to catch up and visit. But it’s also a great opportunity for conflict. Politics, football, even religion … there’s plenty to discuss and debate.

If your family is anything like mine, you will spend Thanksgiving with some non-Christian family members. I hope you are praying for opportunities to share your faith. I also hope you are praying for wisdom to know when to keep your faith to yourself. Here’s what I mean …

Go back to Luke 20. It’s Tuesday of Passion week. Jesus has 72 hours left on the earth. His enemies come to question his authority. They do it publicly in front of thousands of people. Instead of launching into a sermon about Christology and revelation, Jesus refuses to answer their question. Fast forward 72 hours. Jesus has been arrested and now stands before Herod. Again, Jesus refuses to speak.

Why? Why was Jesus forthcoming with some (Nicodemus and the woman at the well), and silent with others (the Jewish leaders and Herod)? The reason is simple. When people wanted to argue, Jesus refused. When people asked honest questions, Jesus answered them. He was always ready to give a defense of the truth (1 Peter 3:15), but he refused to throw pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6).

Tomorrow you may have opportunities to share your faith with those who are genuinely curious. You may also have opportunities to argue. I hope you will be ready to give a defense of the truth, and I hope you are ready to keep your faith to yourself.

Originally published November 25, 2015 on landoncoleman.com.