Nine Things a Secret Believer Sacrifices to Follow Jesus

At A Glance

• In the Muslim world, deciding to follow Christ and sharing the Gospel with others can mean dire consequences.
• Millions of people are becoming “secret believers,” hiding their faith, identity, and very existence.
• These secret believers, however, follow Jesus no matter the cost, giving up nine precious freedoms, relationships, and securities.
• We must stand with them so no fellow Christian feels forgotten and many more may come to Christ as secret believers.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus told us, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

This is particularly true in the Muslim world, where deciding to follow Christ and sharing the Gospel with others can mean dire consequences. Thus, millions of people are becoming “secret believers,” hiding their faith, identity, and very existence while losing precious freedoms, relationships, and securities.

However, what is most precious is their faith in God and their decision to follow Jesus no matter the cost. Here are nine things a secret believer must give up to be Christ’s disciple:

1. Freedom to Worship Openly

Khadija is a young woman in the Middle East who meets other believers in an underground church. Because Christian worship gatherings are outright banned by the Muslim government, she must meet in secret to have simple fellowship with the body of Christ. 

2. Talking about Jesus 

Khadijaalso is unable to talk about Jesus or let anybody know she has left Islam to follow Christ. She still performs outward Muslim customs like wearing a hijab and performing prayers, but in her heart she worships Christ and stays silent about her faith, even with family. 

3. Social/Community Acceptance 

Muslim communities often publicly mock, reject, and abuse Christians, especially those who have left Islam for Christ. In the nation of Chad, Ibrahim passed by some who called him a “wicked Christian” and then spat on him. He offered love in return, winning some to friendship. 

4. Close Family Relationships 

The rejection from family can be the deepest wound, but Jesus said this is a true test of his followers (Matthew 10:37). Abu Sami from the Levant lost his brothers; Zayd from Chad was told by his father that he was not his son anymore; and Kashif from Pakistan was forced to leave his parents’ home. 

5. Inheritance 

After family isolation, secret believers often are robbed of their inheritance. When Zayd’s father died, his family never gave him his rightful inheritance. But he said to them, “In the name of Christ, I’ll receive another inheritance,” speaking of the one in heaven that “can never perish, spoil, or fade.” (1 Peter 1:4)

6. Financial/Vocational Security 

Abu Sami from the Levant came from a Druze family but was forced to convert to Islam for his government job. Later in life, he had a shop in the community. When he accepted Christ, his shop quickly lost business from all sides – the Muslims, the Druze, his suppliers, even his own family.  

7. Freedom of Movement 

Kashif lives in Pakistan, where the country’s blasphemy laws keep people fearful of leaving Islam to follow Christ. Despite this reality, Kashif accepted Christ but lives in hiding because his documentation shows he is a Muslim. He is unable to move or travel freely for fear his ID might get checked.