It is being reported in the news that a church in Florida intends to burn a large number of Qurans, Islam’s most Holy Book, Saturday September 11, 2010, in memory of the citizens that were lost in the 9-11 attacks of 2001.
The world is watching, and not really understanding what is taking place in regard to religious icons, people’s faith systems, and what is the truth! Truth works to destroy what is false by attacking the error in the hearts of people, not by simply attacking the icons of that error. You might physically destroy an idol, but the teachings and faith system attached to the idol will not be destroyed in the minds of those that serve that idol. It takes the gospel in the heart of an individual to help them recognize the difference between what is genuine and what is counterfeit. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Honest people have always been convinced that Error is the only thing that shuns or hides from open and honest investigation. Burning one single Quran or a thousand Qurans will never stop that belief system any more than burning a Bible, or a thousand Bibles would destroy the faith one might have in Jesus Christ to be the Son of God.
Let us consider the Bible and its teachings when dealing with error. Jesus taught those who follow His teachings to first obey His will above the will of self. “But, I say to you, love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those that spitefully use you, and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” Matthew 5:44-45. Please consider the teachings of Jesus in comparison to those claiming to lift Christ Jesus up by burning Qurans! Is burning Qurans doing good to those who hate you? Is it praying for those who use you spitefully and persecute you? Is it following the example of our heavenly Father toward the evil and unjust? No, it is not.
Paul taught in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” New Testament Christians will not be a part of something as offensive to Islam as burning a Quran. Imagine Paul trying to reach the Ephesians who were crying out, “great is Diana of the Ephesians,” by burning a statue of their goddess Diana!
Imagine, if you can, trying to study with someone of the Catholic faith concerning the teachings of Catholicism by first burning in their presence a Madonna holding a baby representing Jesus?
One cannot win over anyone to truth by first provoking them with an act of hate and hostility. What fellowship does light have with darkness? What dark actions could ever radiate the light of God’s word? “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” 1 John 1:5-6.
The mature in heart are aware of their actions toward those they oppose, and they take into consideration the souls of these people. Paul taught in Colossians 4:5-6, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Christian friends, how are we overcoming evil with good by dishonoring an icon that a religious people holds in high esteem? Our weapons are not carnal, but of a spiritual nature. Didn’t Paul teach those Christians in Rome, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men”[?] Romans 12:17 Look at what Paul wrote to those Christians in Corinth, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:4.
Christians are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom of Heaven, and secondly citizens of an earthly nation or kingdom. Colossians 1:13 We need to remember our allegiance is first to Christ Jesus the Lord and God His Father. Ephesians 2:19-22
Let us not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!
