Sharif paid close attention while Boubacar spoke in the village center, his steps uneven and voice thick.

Years ago, as a practicing Muslim, Boubacar had struggled with alcoholism—even though it violated a direct command of Islam. Many in his community disapproved of and criticized his actions, and his business was also stained by his reputation.

Then Boubacar met Jeff, a Frontiers field worker, who showed him how Jesus longed to set him free. After he began to follow Christ, Boubacar was chosen to lead the growing local fellowship. But lately, the older man’s struggle with alcohol had resurfaced and become increasingly apparent.

Now, Sharif cringed as Boubacar slurred his words and stumbled before sitting down. Sharif could not ignore the problem.

When the group that had gathered to hear about Jesus began to leave, Sharif hurried after his friend Souleymane, another follower of Christ. “What should we do about this?”

Souleymane’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

Sharif motioned toward their leader. “He is clearly drunk and not living out what he is teaching us from the Injil.”

With a sad shake of his head, Souleymane said, “Boubacar is our elder and spiritual leader. We must respect him. We can pray for him, but that’s it.”

Over the next several weeks, Sharif did as his friend suggested, but no amount of praying seemed to improve the situation.

Discipleship groups that had once flourished were struggling. Whenever Sharif led Bible study, others seemed distracted and demoralized. Several had stopped showing up at all.

Boubacar’s behavior had started to lead the rest of the villagers away from Jesus. Something needed to be done.

Sharif prayed that Jeff—who first brought the Good News to their village—would return and tell them how to fix things. But Jeff lived in a different part of the region, and they had not been able to contact him.

When Boubacar’s behavior worsened at the next fellowship meeting, Sharif once again sought out Souleymane. “Please, I don’t think I can do this alone. We must confront him.”

Souleymane shook his head. “He is the group’s leader. It’s not right.”

A few other men overheard the conversation and joined them, encouraging Sharif to continue. “Boubacar always urged us to follow Jesus, and that’s what we need to do now. The Word says we should speak the truth in love. Who will join me?”

Another man raised his hand from the back of the group. “I will.”

The next morning, Sharif and two others went to Boubacar’s home to share their concerns. At first, Boubacar yelled at them to leave his house. But as the men persisted, he turned sorrowful.

“You’re right. I’ve failed the people. I should leave.”

Sharif squeezed the older man’s shoulder. “We don’t want you to go. Repent and turn back to the Lord. He can free you from this addiction. Let us support you.”

Boubacar agreed, relinquishing his role as spiritual leader but remaining in the fellowship.

The other men quickly rallied around Boubacar and shoring up the local fellowship. They took turns visiting nearby discipleship groups to assess what changes were necessary to get them back on track and determined that more leaders were needed. The men spent time in prayer and eventually appointed ten more elders. They also enlisted Boubacar’s assistance in reaching out to Jeff.

When Jeff soon returned to the village, Sharif told him everything that had happened.

Jeff was amazed at the men’s faith and commitment. “Your people have been through a lot. That couldn’t have been easy, but you did the right thing by following the Word.”

Sharif smiled.

Honor and respect for leaders would always be important to his village, but he was glad they hadn’t stayed silent. The best thing his people could do was follow Jesus, Who would never lead them astray.

Jesus also used Sharif’s boldness to begin a radical change in Boubacar’s life. The elder gave up drinking for good, and for the first time in his adult life is experiencing freedom from the pull of alcohol. Both Muslims and believers in his village have noticed the transformation—the power of Christ on display.

Pray:

• Praise God for Muslim-background believers like Sharif, who boldly stand for what Scripture teaches despite cultural and societal pressures.
• Ask the Lord to use transformations like Boubacar’s to make Muslims curious about the saving power of Jesus Christ.
• Pray that Muslims and MBBs struggling with alcohol and other vices will find freedom and restoration through Christ.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**

Main photo on iStock: poco_bw

Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/never-led-astray/