There is nothing new about global terrorism. Terrorists have plagued the earth in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. There is a common denominator associated with the attacks that is supported by an overwhelming amount of evidence – they have been motivated by the Islamic religion.

Recently, terrorists have once again reared their ugly heads, the victim being employees of the French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo. About 17 individuals lost their lives due to the extremist’s barbaric acts. This tragedy has added to the growth of the conversation on terror.

Regardless of the differences in opinions, and speculations, there is one thing that has become apparent. These acts of terror have originated with, and have been motivated by the Islamic religion. Those who are honest have labeled the attackers as “Islamic Extremists.” However, there is a large group that refuses to use that label. Why? The world is full of those who subject themselves to this religion. The percentage of those who are jihadists – Muslims who support armed and violent confrontation for the sake of Allah – is only about 20%. Those who refuse to use the term “Islamic Extremists” do not want to offend the rest of the Islamic population. They fail to realize the Islamic religion as the spark that ignites the fire.

Even those who are in favor of the term “Islamic Extremism” are not bold enough to condemn the barbaric religion as a whole. What they fail to realize is that the jihadists are those most faithful to the religion of Islam. The 80% who are not in favor of violence would perhaps be the “liberal” Muslims. There is overpowering evidence within the Quran that suggest the religion itself is corrupt. As long as there is a phobia of calling out the religion of Islam as barbaric, immoral, damaging, and the source of the vast majority of global terror, there will continue to be a lack of success in diminishing these heinous acts.

As glaring as this problem is to Christians, ironically there is a similar problem in the church. There are brethren guilty of the same dysfunctional mindset as those who fail to “call it what it is” in regard to the religion of Islam. While the church is composed of those who are saved, sin still poses a threat. Members of the Lord’s body must be willing to label sin as sin, regardless of the situation, or those involved.

Putting a false label on a bottle of poison does not change its contents. The same is true for sin. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). Changing the label does nothing but cause harm to those who read it, and consider partaking. Some brethren are guilty of identifying immodesty, dancing, social drinking, unscriptural fellowship, etc., as innocent and harmless. This has led to the apostasy of many individuals, and local congregations. All for the sake of sparing feelings, and reputations. This is folly.

We must have strength to “call it what it is!” Jesus was unafraid to call evil evil, and good good. He condemned murder, hatred, adultery, lust, divorce, swearing, hypocrisy, covetousness, unrighteous judgment, and false teaching in one sermon (cf. Matthew 5, 6, 7). This, without even scratching the surface of His earthly ministry. To their faces He called, “woe to you, scribes and Pharisees” for their hypocrisy, and self-righteousness (cf. Matthew 23). The four gospels are laced with Jesus acting in this manner.

The apostles reflected this behavior. The book of Acts is full of situations that required the apostles, and other Christians, to call sin what it was. Throughout the New Testament false doctrine is made manifest, false teachers are named, immorality is condemned, and no sin is labeled incorrectly. Why can’t we all follow their example? Let us remember the words of the inspired apostle, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Call it what it is!