He who does not denounce, agrees
He who does not forbid, commands.
He who is silent, conceals.
He who shares the deed will share the punishment.
- Aipgitir Chrábaid, Colmán mac Beógnai, Irish, 7th century[1]
To everything there is a season,
A time for every matter under heaven...
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak...
- Ecclesiastes 3.1, 7
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
- Proverbs 17.15
Holding one’s tongue can be the right strategy at times. There is a time to keep silence.
But there are times when to keep silent is to become complicit in evil.
When we are confronted with blatant sin and refuse to speak up, we agree with sin and give encouragement to sinners. When we refuse to question practices in our church which, while they may be ever so familiar and long-standing, have no Biblical basis whatsoever, we commend those practices and conceal God’s truth. Given an opportunity to share a word of witness concerning our Lord, if we choose the path of silence, we withhold that which God has commissioned us to proclaim, and which people require if they would know eternal life.
Do you fear that if you speak a timely word, you might ruin a relationship, create an offense, ruffle a feather, or incur the anger or scorn of the one with whom you speak? And what if you do? There is a time for even such things as these, as our Lord Jesus consistently showed.
The time to speak is upon us when the cause of Christ’s Kingdom and righteousness is on the line. We advance the Kingdom by words and deeds; we deny it and impede its progress by want of timely and loving words.
Certainly, when we speak, we must speak truth in love (Eph. 4.15), having our speech always seasoned with grace (Col. 4.6). We must seek always to edify, and not merely to condemn (Eph. 4.29). The gentle answer turns away anger and creates an opening for truth (Prov. 15.1).
But though we may consider silence or refusing to confront to be the “loving thing” to do, if we withhold truth, we are loving no one but ourselves.
The Holy Spirit has been given to convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He shows us what is wrong, directs us toward what is right, and gives us the wisdom to judge the best ways of applying what He has shown us (Jn. 16.8-11). The key in learning when to speak, and how, is to follow the example of the Spirit, listen for His prompting, and, when prompted, obey.
Devote your speech to the Lord each day and plead with Him to enable you to make the most of every opportunity for confronting sin, proclaiming grace and truth, or speaking a word of encouragement and edification.
Don’t worry about planning what you’ll want to say in every situation before you. The Spirit can provide what He wants you to say at just the moment you need the words (Lk. 12.11, 12). Just make sure that your mind is set and your heart is ready to speak the Word as God directs.
Labor to speak timely words. Be filled with the Spirit and with His Word, and learn to listen, listen for His still, small voice. He Who guides us into all truth can guide us into all appropriate speech—or silence—as well.
For Reflection
1. Why is it so important that Christians learn how to control their tongue?
2. How can you prepare each morning for opportunities to bear witness during the day?
Psalm 139.23, 24 (Ripley: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul)
Search my heart, O Lord, and know me, as You only, Lord, can do.
Test my thoughts and contemplations, whether they be vain or true.
Let there be no sin in me, Lord, nothing that Your Spirit grieves.
Lead me in the righteous way, Lord, unto everlasting peace!
Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Improving conversation
We can all improve in the way we talk with others. Our ReVision study on “The Art of Christian Conversation” might be of some help. You can download it for free by clicking here.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Carey, p. 244.
