1 Peter 3:15

15 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;

Carrying on from verse 14, Peter tells those who are being intimidated, not to fear them but to sanctify (or to set apart as holy) Christ, and to put Him as Lord in their heart. This will make them ready to make a defense for the gospel. Thus, for everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope we have (or for everyone who is critical of us), we will be ready to give them an answer. And then Peter emphasizes that we are not to be harsh with them as they are with us; as he states in verse 9, to not return evil for evil. We are instead to be gentle with them with reverence (or respect).