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LEARN Loving Our Neighbour 8. Demonic Or Not?
" 8. Demonic Or Not?
Some Christians see it that way. Islam, they say, bears all the hallmarks of the work of Satan. The Qur’an repeats biblical stories, but changes them sufficiently for the key truths to be lost. The ‘revelations’ to Muhammad, they assert, sound like demonic experiences. Islam has strongly resisted Christian work, and Muslims, at times, violently oppose the state of Israel. And it mixes with occult practices to produce Folk Islam. So, they say, our response should be to keep away from Satan and all his works.
But why single out Islam in this way? The biblical viewpoint is that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Our enemy has used many philosophies and religions in order to muddy the waters and to oppose the truth, making it hard to see spiritual realities clearly.
This is why Paul is so forthright about demolishing anything which sets itself up against the knowledge of God.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 NIV)
Let us look at it in another way: if Jesus had refused to come to this world because God’s beautiful creation had become disfigured by the work of Satan, there would have been salvation for none of us. But it was precisely because it was spoiled by Satan that He came. He calls us now to follow His example (John 20:21). Yes, we need His protection and power. But His mission is entrusted to us: to seek and to save the lost and to bring people of any faith, or none, from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). Are we fulfilling that mission?
Written by a British Pioneer, currently serving in North Africa.
