Have you ever heard someone say, “Christians are so narrow minded. They are unwilling to hear and discuss contrary points of view”. This is, by in large, true for good reason. It is often brought up in two ways, when discussing other religious beliefs or when talking about other topics of this world.

Regarding other beliefs. Christians respect other’s rights to have their own beliefs and we should never be harsh or chastise other people. That being said, to ask a Christian to “keep an open mind” about other beliefs or to accept that “all beliefs (religions) are equal” is tantamount to asking us to denounce our Christianity.

As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the undeniable word of God and it is not to be contorted, challenged or construed and nothing can be added or taken away. With that understanding, asking a Christian to keep an open mind about anything contrary such as, Jesus not being our Lord and Savior…… about praying to or through a person of this world…… about channeling the power of nature and the cosmos to be one with the universe…. about a chant or a ritual…… about a buda….. about a koran… is tantamount to denouncing our Christianity. For a Christian to entertain the validity in anything outside the Bible is the same as saying we have no true faith or belief at all.

Regarding other topics of this world, the same can be said. Christians may hear that we are narrow minded when it comes to movies, tv, clothing or even our topics of discussion among friends or co-workers. This is true because, for Christians, the Bible does allow us to pick and choose what we want to follow.

We all er and sin but we also believe what it says in Titus 2:12: “It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives….”. We are told to live in the world so as to spread His word but not be of this world. God tells us to keep ourselves “un-spotted” from the world. In other words, He does not want us to become spotted, contaminated, and tainted by the bad and evil things of this world. The only way we can keep ourselves from becoming too spotted and contaminated from this world is not to get too deep and friendly with the ways of this world.

On the contrary – Others are often less willing to be “open to” and appreciate a Christian’s firmness of faith and not see it as a threat. A non believer will often think “who do they think they are…. all perfect and goody too-shoo”. If they only knew, a Christian is the first to admit they are the farthest from perfect and just love their friends and neighbors for who they are. Too often our firmness in belief is seen as judgement of others, when in reality, as Christians, we often stand out as the ones to be judged strongly. Sadly, it is because we stand so firmly in our beliefs and do not let anyone sway us.

We will be persecuted for our beliefs but this was foretold in the Bible, even more so in the final days. Just remember, no one was persecuted like Jesus was through most of His days, through His torture and ultimate death. Let us never forget that Jesus chose to die for us and our sin.

• Discuss the real life persecution we face in our daily life and how we can smile and remain unaffected.
• Talk about how persecution of Christian believers was foretold in the Bible, how it just means we are on the right track and how it should only serve to further solidify our faith.