"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear"
(1 Peter 3:15 NKJV)

put God on the throne of your life

1. To sanctify is to set apart, revere. Jesus uses this word to teach His disciples how to pray: “Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9). We sanctify our Lord by putting Him on the throne of our life. “...He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).
2. In your hearts connects our reverence for God to a proper attitude toward Him and His will. This attitude sets the tone for the Christian’s life. We sanctify Him in the heart by obeying His word. “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17).
3. Always be ready urges us to take advantage of every opportunity to serve Him. The soldier on furlough is in a state of constant readiness to return to his unit at a moment’s notice. The Christian must be ready always, first by knowing what the Bible says, and second by sincerely responding to it.
4. To give a defense requires us to be able to offer evidence for our hope. Paul stayed ready to defend the truth: “...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17). He was willing to do this even when he was forced to stand alone. “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me” (2 Timothy 4:16).
5. To everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. Our hope distinguishes us from unbelievers. Christians enjoy “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Our faith and hope are in God (1 Peter 1:21). People have a right to ask us why we have hope.
6. With meekness and fear. Meekness is gentleness. It is strength under control. It is the opposite of sarcasm and arrogance. Aim the gospel arrow at the sinner’s heart. If we couple meekness with fear (reverence before God and proper respect toward men) we may have an opportunity to lead them to the salvation of their souls. Our goal is never to win a personal victory over a human opponent, but to win a spiritual victory over satan and those whom he has captured.

– Rick Duggin