Gentle Spirit
Okay, I need your advice on how to deal with difficult people. The difficult people I am referring to are folks involved in radical Islam. Through my travels, I have confronted radical Islam through the Iranian Revolutionary Guard based in Nicaragua, through Al-Qaeda in Iraq and through the Sunni Muslim Palestinian Islamic organization, also known as the Islamic Resistance Movement, which has infiltrated parts of Paraguay.
More recently, people practicing radical Islam on some city streets in Europe confronted me. I discovered that my heart had grown cold toward these folks and that really is not effective in trying to reach them for Christ. I do not know why I did this, but the last time I was confronted by a large group of radical Islamic Muslims, I started singing, “Jesus Loves Me.” As I sang that song aloud for all to hear, my heart softened and at the same time, I was actually presenting the Gospel through song.
Is this an effective way to deal with difficult people, telling them through a song that Jesus loves them? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Paul gives us a reminder and a good example for us to follow when we must deal with difficult people. Read Colossians 3:12 (Amplified):
“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].”
If Christ is ever long-suffering with us than it would make sense that we must demonstrate a gentle spirit when dealing with folks who are a bit contentious.
