Great Spiritual Changes in Human Lives

Dear and esteemed listeners of the programme "With You." How are you? I am happy to be with you, dear friends, through this programme. I hope that wherever you are, you are well, in good spirits, and safe, and that you listen to our excellent programme.

Dear friends, you are listening to the programme "With You" from Radio Voice of Life. Well, dear friends, we again have Brother Faiz with us in the studio. Welcome to the programme, Faiz. Yes, thank you, Brother Shahid. I extend my greetings to you and to our dear listeners. I also thank you for today’s opportunity. I am here to serve you, Brother Shahid. Thank you. May you live long. Thank you for coming.

Well, Brother Faiz, can you tell us and our listening friends who are hopefully hearing our voices directly from the studio what happened during the past week? Our listeners called in. They phoned us. Maybe they had questions while listening to the programme or they had their own opinions. Please tell us about the friends who called you today. What did they say, and what were your responses to them?

Yes, thank you, Brother Shahid. Of course, you raised a very good point about the possibility of them having questions. Certainly, the friends who call us bring up many questions. I mean, they create many questions because they listen to the programme and then ask us what it means. This raises many topics or discussions.

Yes. In all the calls or in all the conversations we have had with those who call us, there is one topic that is particularly thought-provoking for me, and I want to talk about that issue today. We see that this topic is controversial and we wonder what is happening. This is the subject I want to start this programme with, and we will call this programme “A Great Change in Life.” We see what we are doing in Afghanistan with our programmes and we are looking at this subject with a fundamental and profound question.

If we simplify it, Brother Shahid, why do changes occur in people's lives, and what causes a person who has been on a certain thought path for years to suddenly choose a completely new direction? This has really intrigued me. I have thought about it and looked at why people do this. Because when I talk about significant change, I see many individuals who have been deeply entrenched in a certain thought pattern for years, and then suddenly changes occur in their lives.

People, just as they are in pursuit of truth and calmness, sometimes change due to the pressures of life. However, the most profound and lasting changes are inner and spiritual changes. We see that perhaps a person makes changes in their life due to financial issues. But what is the deepest and most enduring change that affects their entire future? It is the inner and spiritual change.

We see, Brother Shahid, that in the Bible, change is not about external reform. The entire Bible, if we simplify it, refers to this many times. Especially in the New Testament, in Romans chapter 12, verse 2, it says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

So we see how clearly the Bible points out that we should not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The Bible is very clear about this. We also have a lot of scientific research about change. We see discussions on behavioural change and worldviews, which are shown in psychological research and social sciences. The fundamental change in beliefs is the most profound and complex type of change.

If we look at the theory of stages of human behavioural change to achieve a new belief, it goes through stages such as thinking, reflecting, researching, and finally making decisions. This four-stage filter is very clearly outlined. Some people decide at this point. When a person's heartfelt belief changes, not only does their mental and emotional health change, but if this change is positive, you see how their life changes as well.

Brother Shahid, I read a topic a few days ago in a Christian magazine or newspaper. It showed a global statistic. It stated that today millions of people around the world, with various backgrounds, are coming to Christ or believing in Christ. According to research centres, they claim that for years, more than 25 million people globally recognise Jesus Christ and accept him as their Saviour.

You see that these 25 million people are recognising Jesus Christ each year. You understand that perhaps there are 7 or 8 billion people living in the world. Of course, people understand how many die each year and how many new people are born. It’s interesting to realise that the greatest growth of faith in Christ occurs in places where it might be hard to imagine. For example, consider educated individuals; those who are educated, knowledgeable, and have studied at universities are more likely to experience changes. It’s not the illiterate or uneducated people. We also see significant transformations in religious leaders who, after deeply understanding the Word of God, feel their hearts touched and changes occur.

So, this was very interesting to me, Brother Shahid. I thought to share this global statistic with you. Each year, 25 million people around the world accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Regardless of their backgrounds, some may not believe in God, some may be Hindu, some Muslim, from any class. You see that these changes enter the lives of individuals. As you asked, we want to share a true story about a person with whom we have been working for several years, step by step, talking with them and having conversations over the phone.

Today, we want to simplify that the person we want to talk about is one of the imams or those who are mosque leaders. If you remember, I mentioned earlier, Brother Shahid, that many religious individuals come to believe in Jesus Christ. And this person I’m talking about, Brother Shahid, has studied in religious schools for more than twelve years. For instance, we see that those who want to become imams in a mosque or community must have education, especially in religious schools, starting from the 9th grade, studying Sharia or religious sciences. Imagine that after four years, they then serve as assistants in a mosque, and then they are appointed as an imam.

So, we see that such individuals undergo changes. This person has twelve years of school education and has a very deep Islamic background, and currently, he is an imam in the community. What happens is that this person is now experiencing changes in his life. Also, Brother Shahid, we understand that the Bible clearly states some topics for us. If we simplify it, in Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12, it says that "for the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Look how clearly the Bible speaks about itself. It says that the Word of God is so powerful and active that it penetrates to the depths of our souls, spirits, and joints, and discerns the thoughts of human hearts. It is impossible for a person to read the Bible, think deeply about it; the Bible grabs hold of you. Once it captures you, it does not let you go. It is very powerful and effective.

I do not want to forget to mention the person I have been discussing with, Brother Shahid. Over the years, we have been talking step by step, and I, as someone who shares the Bible, have noticed that this person has gone through twelve stages in front of me. The first stage is that when someone has an Islamic background in an Islamic country, they initially start sharing the Bible with you, trying to advise you. They try to dissuade you from your Christian faith, seeing you as a Muslim, and they advise you that your path is wrong. “Son, friend, let’s talk together; our religion is the true religion, the religion of Muhammad is the true religion; why did you go this way?” This was the first stage we passed with this person.

In the second stage, I see that no, I say, “Brother, that is correct. Let’s talk more. I encourage you to study more.” The second stage leads to cursing and condemnation. The person sees that I do not listen to their advice, and they start condemning me. “You have become a disbeliever. May God’s curse be upon you. You are misguided. You will burn in the depths of hell.” Because many such cases exist in the Quran, since I am talking with a Muslim brother. He curses me and condemns me. This is the second stage.

The third stage involves leading questions. “Well, this person did not listen to my advice. The curse did not work either.” They start asking misleading questions. “Why has the Bible been altered? Jesus did not die. He was not crucified. Or one of the disciples of Jesus came in the form of Jesus.” These are questions meant to divert the discussion. They want to ask you thousands of questions like this. This was the third stage we passed.

The fourth stage is the stage of debate. The person then sits with you and searches for verses in the Quran or based on cultural beliefs passed down from scholars. They create contradictions, saying, “The Bible has contradictions. For example, the Bible says this here, and you said this. Why are there contradictions? There are four Gospels.” We must pass through this stage of debate, where they want to prove themselves right. Ultimately, I told them, “Dear brother, during our debate, we need to be respectful.” Then the fifth stage is silence and listening, where the person really listens and hears what you are saying. They slowly start to listen to your words. If a person reaches the fifth stage, it is a sign that they have engaged with your words.

In the sixth stage, reflection and comparison arise. The person thinks and compares the Bible with the Quran or compares the teachings of Jesus with those of Muhammad. They see differences and acknowledge that there are indeed differences. This is the stage of comparison. The seventh stage is the stage of inquiry. The person starts researching; they think, “I have compared, and there are advantages in the Bible.” They either find PDF files or start reading the Bible deeply, asking questions about why it is this way and why it was presented like this.

Then, in the eighth stage, the person develops a desire to learn more. They see that there is something transformative happening and become eager to understand more about the Bible. The ninth stage is the stage of doubt, where the person decides to believe and eventually becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ. I have seen this person, Brother Shahid, and we have walked through these twelve stages together. Now they have decided to become a believer in Jesus Christ.

This is a very important stage. Think about it, Brother Shahid. Up to this point, this person has had twelve years of education and perhaps eight years of leading prayers in mosques, yet the Word of God has reached their ears. We see that this person has undergone significant changes. This is very important and sensitive for us, Brother Shahid. We see that Jesus, if we simplify it, performed the miracle of turning water into wine. You, Brother Shahid, see what Jesus did? He turned water into wine, and in John chapter 2, we read that this was the first of the signs through which Jesus revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. The first thing Jesus does for us is not to change our appearance but to change our hearts, our spirits, and our souls.

This miracle is significant, Brother Shahid, because we understand that water is a simple substance, but the mention of wine signifies freshness, joy, and new life. It is a symbol that represents joy and new life. Jesus transformed the very essence of water.

God does exactly the same thing with humans. He takes a life that is empty, hard, and hopeless and transforms it into a meaningful, joyful, and spiritual life. We understand that this joy comes through Jesus Christ. It comes through that transformation. Brother Shahid, it is a very sensitive question: why do people change? Because when this inner person changes from one state to another, they realise that they are tasting joy. They see how good Jesus is, and this is a very important and sensitive issue.

I want to emphasise, Brother Shahid, that we have worked step by step with this person. In the first, second, third, and fourth stages, we reached the fifth stage of silence, where they began to taste and understand that there is indeed something significant happening. We are in contact with this person, Brother Shahid, in their personal life, family life, and also in their social interactions. Previously, we talked with them, and they mentioned, “Faiz, I am forced to use lies.” They felt compelled to do so, and I told them, “No, brother, you do not need to lie. The Bible clearly tells us not to lie.”

We had a conversation where this individual clearly stated that they had developed a habit of lying, similar to drinking water. They lie without thinking. I explained that while lying may seem to offer short-term benefits, the consequences can be disastrous, leading to conflict, even violence and death. We understand that the Bible clearly states that the devil is the father of lies.

Brother Shahid, we have observed how these changes have sensitively entered this person's life. We want to share the impact of these changes from spiritual and worldly perspectives. From a spiritual perspective, a person is liberated from fear, confusion, sin, and lies. They experience divine peace. We saw this in the individual we worked with.

From a worldly and social perspective, research shows that individuals who have experienced positive spiritual transformation indeed wish to reflect that change in their families, communities, and relationships, demonstrating qualities such as love, forgiveness, patience, and restraint. We have seen this gradually manifest in this person’s life. It is truly astonishing to witness such significant changes in people’s lives.

Thank you, Brother Shahid. Thank you for the fascinating topic you discussed. However, you did not mention that this brother was an imam and that now his heart is turning towards Jesus Christ. Have they been baptised or not? Unfortunately, they have not yet been baptised, but they have decided to get baptised. I pray, Brother Shahid, that this becomes a reality for them. However, the Bible also says that if you believe, you should be baptised.

Thank you very much, Brother Faiz, for coming to the studio. I hope that our listening friends will also come to understand the truth and open their hearts, just as this brother has found the truth and that our listeners will also take steps in this path.

Well, dear friends, this has been our programme for this time. Until the next programme, which we will again be presenting this year, we commend you all to the Lord.

Music plays as the programme continues.