Don Stewart :: What Should Be the Proper Attitude of Christians toward the Muslim People?

What Should Be the Proper Attitude of Christians toward the Muslim People?

Islam – Question 22

While the religion of Islam is an enemy of Christianity, the Muslim people are not. There are a number of important things we need to understand in our dealings with the people of Islam.

1. Muslims Are Not the Enemies of Christians

It must always be remembered that the Muslim people are not the enemies of Christians. Muslims are souls for whom Jesus Christ died. Many of them will be converted to Christ. We need to see them as God sees them. Indeed, they are people who are spiritually lost and need a Savior.

2. Our Battle Is with the Teachings Not the People

Our battle is with the religion of Islam. It is the teachings that we reject. It is not the people who accept these teachings. Again, it cannot be emphasized too strongly that we are responding to the claims of Islam. They have made claims about being the “true” faith.

3. They Should Be Treated with Respect Not Antagonism

It is important that we treat people of the Islamic faith with respect. The Bible makes it clear how we are to treat those outside of the faith.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. (Colossians 4:6 RSV)

Many Muslims come to faith in Jesus Christ.

4. They Should Be Shown the Love of Jesus Christ

The Bible commands believers to preach the gospel to everyone. This includes Muslims. Paul said that it was the love of Jesus Christ that compelled him to reach the lost. He wrote,

Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live. (2 Corinthians 5:14 NLT)

Christians have an obligation to demonstrate the love of Jesus for Muslims.

5. Above All, Realize It Is a Spiritual Battle

We must keep in mind that Islam is a non-Christian religion which has gained about a billion adherents. In responding to it, we must at all times realize that we are in a spiritual battle. Paul wrote,

For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12 HCSB)

Islam is a spiritual power. This being the case, believers are to prepare to fight the battle with the spiritual weapons, the Word of God and prayer. This is where our struggle exists.

Summary – Question 22
What Should Be the Proper Attitude of Christians toward the Muslim People?

It is important the Christians have the right attitude toward Muslims. Indeed, in dealing with Muslims there are a number of things which must be kept in mind.

First, we need to make the distinction between the religion of Islam and those who accept the faith. It is their belief system that we are opposed to. Our battle is with what it teaches. Our struggle is not with individual Muslim people. Christ had died for them. We need to reach out to them with His love. Consequently, Muslims are to be treated with respect, not antagonism. They should be shown the love of Jesus Christ by our words and by our deeds. They are not the enemy.

Above all, we must realize that in dealing with Muslims the battle we are fighting is spiritual and that the weapons of our warfare are spiritual, not physical. This is where the battle is being fought and this is where the battle is won.