Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

Dialogue regarding Music and friendship with a Muslim

Dear XXXX,

It is my pleasure to provide some answers to your questions. I'll
respond accordingly.

> I am pentecostal, but I would really rather say i am a saved child
> of God.

My background is also Pentecostal. I agree with your preference in
saying you are a 'saved child of God.'

> My question is, I love to listen to music, the only problem (or
> may not be a problem?) is I like many types of music besides
> gospel, including R&B and pop, Is this wrong? I know that Jesus is
> the center of my life, why would non-gospel music be condemned? I am
> very confused on this subject.

I am sure you are familiar with the term 'worldly.' Sometimes we
hear this term and don't really know what it means. Actually there
are only two kinds of music. We have music that relates to the
kingdom of God, and we have music which has worldly sources.

Then we need to understand that music ministers to the human
soul. It can minister godliness or it can minister ungodliness. This
is where you have to ask yourself questions, such as, "Is this
music drawing me closer to Jesus, or is it merely appealing to my
emotions?"

Do you recall when Jesus prayed, He said, "They are not of the
world even as I am not of the world?" He then said, "I do not ask
You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil
one." (John 17:14,15) He was praying that we be kept from worldly
influences. If the music doesn't originate in God, it can only have
one other source.

John the apostle later writes, "Do not love the world nor the things of
the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in
him." (1 John 2:15)

On a personal note, sometimes when I hear music that reflects on
my youth, I find myself drawn to it. But then the Holy Spirit
quickens my heart to the fact that the music I am hearing is
working an allurement that is worldly. Music plays on our emotions
and creates pictures in our minds. Again we have to ask ourselves,
"Are these pictures from God, or are they of the world?"

What I'm trying to share is that music is a powerful medium
of exchange, but the exchange isn't about money. It's about power
and influence. Music can open our hearts to messages that Satan
wants to plant. Many Christians don't realize that Satan is a
master at using music to accomplish his goals. He is a master
musician.

Do you find that strange? One reason that Satan was able to tempt
a third of the angels to follow him in his rebellion against God, was
that he used the power of music to work in them his own rebellion.
Isaiah 14:11, gives a little insight into the Luciferian rebellion. It
says, "Your pomp and the music of your harps have been brought
down to Sheol..."

I would recommend that you draw lines of consecration in your life.
Apply these lines to the things of the world, and especially to the
music you listen to. In other words, determine in your heart that
you will only partake of music that glorifies Jesus.

Your next question was:

> Also, I have a friend who is muslim, She is actually my closest
> friend, Is there a problem with this? I mean I don't praise her
> muslim activities I ignore them but I do speak about God whenever
> the subject comes about.

You said that you speak about God whenever the subject comes
about. Sounds like you don't broach the subject of God that often.

It is one thing to be a friend to sinners, in that we are seeking to win
them to Christ. It is another thing to enter into a friendship that
requires us to compromise our faith in Jesus. You must decide
where your friendship with this person fits. Are you actively seeking
to bring her to the Lord? Do you pray for her conversion to Jesus?
Do you love her enough to try to bring her to the cross? Jesus said,
"Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins."
(I'll explain that in a moment.)

Lets continue with the questions. Does your friendship with your
Muslim friend require you to compromise your testimony as a born
again child of God? This is the danger zone. James said,
"Friendship with the world is hostility towards God. Therefore
whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy
of God." (James 4:4)

We are specifically warned in the Scriptures not to enter into
fellowship pacts or alliances with nonbelievers. Paul said, "Do not
be bound together with unbelievers ... what fellowship has light with
darkness ... or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever."
(2 Co 6:14,15) This does not mean you cannot be a friend to this
person. One of the accusations made against Jesus was that He
was a friend of sinners. But His friendship had to do with
redemption.

While this may seem hard, it is only because we are still dealing
with unseen forces of the world. If your friend is a practicing
Muslim, then you are in friendship with someone who denies that
Jesus is God. Muslims also deny that His death on the cross has
anything to do with your salvation. (Did you know that?)

Did you know that Muslims call Jesus "Isa?" That term comes from
unbelieving Jews. It means Esau. The Jews ridiculed Jesus by
calling him Esau. They declared that the soul of Esau had been
transformed into Jesus. Muhammad picked up this name in
ignorance and applied it to Jesus.

Sylvia, there are many things that the Muslims believe about Jesus
that are truly good. But interwoven in their doctrines are things that
set aside any hope of salvation through Jesus. The key issue is
that Muslim theologians teach that Jesus did not really die on the
cross. (I don't mean to be technical here, but these are things you
need to understand.)

I would recommend you do two things. First, seek the Lord for
wisdom with regard to your friendship with this person. Ask Him to
show you how to minister to her. This is where friendship cannot
take the place of our obedience to the Lord. Let her soul become
precious to you and ask to Lord to bring His convicting grace upon
her for the purpose of salvation. They you learn to be wise in your
conversations. (Read Proverbs 16:23)

The second thing I recommend is that you study up on what
Muslims believe. This will give you the knowledge that is important
to witnessing.

In all this I am not telling you to disregard your friend. I am
suggesting that you reposition yourself in the Lord and then see
where your friendship goes. Are you willing to put this friendship to
the test?

Hope I have helped you. Let me know how things are going.

Your servant in Christ,
Brother Buddy

...............

Response to this email is as follows........

Dear Pastor Buddy Martin,

Thank you for your words of wisdom. I know that it was only God
who could have sent me to your website. I had these two problems
grow on me really to the point of being bound with them. I am a lot
happier now that I received your response. Thank You, I am going
to pray for my friend and also ask that the Lord shows himself
strong in my actions and my conversations as he does in my life. I
pray that the Holy Spirit directs me in what I must do or not do
when situations come up. Once again I want to thank you very
much the Spirit of the Lord has been letting me know things, but I
had been disobedient. Now I know.

Thank You
XXXXX