One of the biggest things that can get in the way of witnessing to our Muslim friend is ourselves. Read this following example and see if any of it seems familiar to you:
Josh is frustrated that his Muslim friend, Khalid, is continuing to profess that Allah is the true god, despite all of the evidence he’s shown to Khalid to prove the validity of the God of the Bible. Their theological discussions have turned into arguments, where Josh increasingly becomes upset that Khalid won’t change his mind.
One of Josh’s friends asks him why he seems so upset with Khalid, to which Josh replies, “Because I’m right, and he’s not! He refuses to see the truth, even when it’s right in front of him.”
It can be frustrating to invest a lot of time into sharing God’s true message with someone to feel like it is all for nothing. But there is one thing that we need to remember: humility.
The premise of the gospel is that everyone has sinned and needs forgiveness. No one is right in God’s eyes, and that is why we all need Jesus Christ. Just because we have found a relationship in Christ before our Muslim friend has, there is nothing in the Bible that says that we are in higher standing or less in need of Christ’s saving grace.
In fact, there is a parable in Matthew 20:1-16 that says the opposite. The “Laborers in the Vineyard” tells the story of a man hiring people to serve in his fields. Some are hired in the early morning, and others are subsequently hired throughout the day. At the end of the day, they all receive the same payment. Those who began working earlier in the day are upset because they feel they are entitled to more of a payment than those who joined later. To which the vineyard owner says, “The last shall be first, and the first last.”
The message of this story is not instructing us on how we should pay our laborers, although some interpreters have tried to argue that. Instead, we believe that this section is about how God gives everyone grace according to His judgment and His measure, not our own earthly measures or standards. We need to live in humility under God’s grace and always live a life that points back to His love and mercy.
Do you want to win the argument or your friend?
It is easy to win an argument when you are ready with proofs and references, but what is the use of winning if your friend feels defeated and shamed?
It is also much easier to allow the flesh to respond in anger if your Muslim friend started to raise their voice and respond in anger. But where would that lead?
Remember that you are not in a battle with your friend, but you are at war with the enemy himself - Satan. This kind of war can only be won through prayer, humility and true love for your Muslim friend."Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:23-24.
What do do instead of arguing with your Muslim friend
Our egos and anger will not lead our Muslim friend to Christ. Take a deep breath and let go of the human need to be right and embrace what the Spirit calls us to do– love unconditionally, graciously, and unrelentingly. Do not put too much pressure on yourself, because at the end of the day it is the Holy Spirit’s job to open up your friend’s heart to the Good News.
When you find that your conversation with your Muslim friend is escalating past the point of being beneficial, here are a few ways to direct it in a new direction:
I feel like we are both very passionate about this topic, but it is getting in the way of our friendship. What if we return to this conversation at another time?
I need a break to study this topic further and pray about it. Is that alright with you?
I do not think this conversation is going anywhere beneficial. Maybe it’s best for us to talk about it when we are not both so emotionally involved. I would love to talk to you about ______ instead!
During your conversations with your Muslim friend, consistently check your heart for the Holy Spirit’s prompting and see where He is leading the conversation.
Prayer
Dear Lord, please be a guiding light in all of my conversations with my Muslim friend. Let our conversations be fruitful instead of destructive, and use my words and actions to reflect You. Amen.
