Our Fleshly Responses to Islam and the Transforming Power of Love

Our flesh may respond with any combination of these three wrong reactions to Islam.

1. Fear of physical danger of offending Muslims of Islamic takeover

2. Fury over past aggression or Islamic exploitation with deceptive/unfair tactics

3. Fascination with Muslim culture, Islamic devotion or Islamic ‘forms’

 

These lead to three wrong strategies:

1. Fear leads to Secrecy

Afraid of danger because you are in an environment hostile to Christianity? Don’t let anyone know who and what you are. Tone down your witness! Afraid of offending Muslims? Don’t tell them that they are sinners in need of salvation. Don’t tell them that Jesus is the Son of God Christ died for their sins.

2. Fury leads to Strife

Fury instills a desire to defeat Muslim arguments and humiliate Muslim apologists. It desires to see Muslim leaders and symbols humiliated. It cultivates an argumentative spirit when talking with Muslims. It “roots” for the destruction of anything Islamic.

3. Fascination leads to Syncretism

Becoming overly fascinated with Islamic Cultures leads to “blind spots” and a hesitancy to rebuke sin. Becoming enamored with Islamic Devotion leads to legalism and a feeling of being “unspiritual”. Becoming enchanted with Islamic theology muddies the clarity and simplicity of the gospel.

 

What is the correct response to Muslims? Love.

Do you realize that Muslims live in fear more than you do?
Do you realize that the biggest victims of Islam are the Muslims?
Do you realize that Muslims have been lied to so much that it has distorted their very understanding of truth?

If you saw these things with God’s eyes, could you have any other reaction than love?

1. Love replaces fear and secrecy with boldness.

In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness… There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.

– 1 John 4:17-18

2. Love replaces fury and strife with gentleness.

Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

– 2 Tim 2:22-26

3. Love replaces fascination and syncretism with truth.

Speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ.

– Ephesians 4:15

Original Content presented by Georges Houssney at Engaging Islam Institute http://www.engagingislam.org