Is Muslim Evangelism Really as Scary as Some Christians Imagine? By Aleena Denison At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Many countries label all Americans as Christians, although Americans will tell you emphatically that that's not the case. However, many Christians have a tendency to put Muslims into specific categories, causing unnecessary fear and avoidance when it comes to evangelism.

• Often, if one doesn't know much in general about the Islamic religion, when Muslims are referred to they are put into the category of terrorists, or assumed to be from Muslim-controlled countries. Of course, not all Muslims are from Islamic countries, and the Muslims' beliefs can be as dissimilar to each other as can Christians'. Some Muslims are extremely dedicated to jihad and become terrorists, but others practice only the basics of the religion and seek to fit into the community and business world.

• Sometimes Christians are afraid of Muslim evangelism because they are afraid that any Muslim they talk to might be so dedicated to his religion that he would back them into a corner, presenting Islam in such a way that there could be no argument. This fear stems from a lack of solid grounding in these Christians, and a (self) focus on how they might look if the Muslim knows more than they.

Where do fears like these come from, other than a lack of understanding or research? Fears such as these can be called by the following specific names. I urge Christians to consider them and make needed corrections to be rid of unnecessary fears.

• "There is no fear in love: true love has no room for fear…" (I John 4:18) One reason Christians would fear Muslims is due to a lack of love. The Bible says that God is love (I John 4:16) and anyone who has the Spirit of God ought also to have His love. Instead of focusing on self and fear (which stifles God's love), believers should keep their focus on God, remembering that salvation comes through Jesus Christ and the grace given for salvation is also available for the Muslims.

• Jesus is the example for believers to follow concerning every aspect of life, and when it comes to evangelism, Jesus' heart of compassion should be studied and imitated. "And when he got near and saw the town, he was overcome with weeping for it." (Luke 19:41) "But when He saw all the people He was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and wandering like sheep without a keeper." (Matthew 9:36) Don't allow fear to be greater than the compassion God wishes to express through you.

• When we fail to take things to God in prayer, we're often burdened with unnecessary fears. This can be the case in a fear of Muslim evangelism; we fear them because we fail to pray (sincerely) for them. The Bible says to, "Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you." (Matthew 5:44) Although the Islamic religion is an enemy of the Gospel of Christ, the people must have believers praying for them. Without prayer for them, who would be burdened to share the love of Christ with them? Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth laborers into His harvest." (Luke 10:2)

• When we permit fear to chase us away from evangelism, we are actually saying (whether consciously or not) that God is not deserving of our trust. Throughout the Scriptures, the faithfulness of God is seen in spite of human fear. Christians ought to seek the Word of God as a reminder that He is worthy of trust, and we have nothing to fear. "Be strong and courageous; don't be afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) "…'I will never leave you or forsake you.' Therefore, we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5,6) "I was searching for the Lord, and He gave ear to my voice, and made me free from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

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