Be Silent or Speak?
Be Silent or Speak?
A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:7
Have you noticed I have been pretty quiet lately? Hardly blogging. Barely posting. No videos. Quiet. It’s funny, because this is a season where I have a lot to say, yet God has been whispering, “Shhhh….”. So, in obedience I have been silent.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King Solomon reminds us that God is in control and at work in our lives. Recently, a new friend, Stephanie, invited me to speak at the Festival of Seasons Dinner at her church. Her theme led me to revisit this passage and this reminder. One thing I know to be true is that God causes everything to work together for our good. (Romans 8:28) I can testify that I have experienced His goodness and His faithfulness, and I know that I will again and again.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
The Bible has a lot to say about our tongues and fools who talk too much. We read about the wise person who knows when to be quiet. In Matthew, Jesus is speaking to His followers and He says, “You must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12:36-37)
So today is He saying “Shhhhh….”, to you, too? Do you need to quiet your opinions so you can know the truth? Do you need to silence your reactions, so you can respond in love? Is He asking you to be quiet so you can hear His voice saying, “This is the way, now walk in it.”?
As I have been still… waiting, hoping, and trusting Him… my strength has been renewed. (Isaiah 40:31) I have been reminded of who He is – His power, His authority, and His redemption. I have enjoyed time in His presence and the peace He gives. He is all knowing, all seeing, and what He is doing and will do is for His glory and for our good.
While there are times when we should mind our tongue and limit our words, the rest of that verse says “there is a time to speak”.
“What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” Matthew 10:27
There is a time to be silent and there is a time to speak.
May we be brave like Queen Esther who recognized she was “made queen for just such a time as this”. She stepped into her God-given purpose and recognized her time to speak. We must be brave to say and do what God has for us to say and to do. We were created on purpose and have a purpose to fulfill for such a time as this.
How do we know when to speak?
As we elevate our relationship with Jesus to it’s proper place in our life – first – static noise calms and we begin to hear from Him – through Bible reading, prayer, and being a part of a Christ-centered community.
Listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and choosing to be obedient to that prompting – whether we are prompted to be silent or to speak.
We should always speak truth – not our truth, HIS TRUTH. We don’t get to twist it or mislead others or force our opinion. His truth always prevails. He is truth. Walk in His truth, lean into Him, and words of wisdom and truth come easy.
Speak up and give an account for His faithfulness in our life. Testify of His goodness. Tell of what He has done.
Speak victoriously because the evil one has been defeated by “the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony”. We can speak as we loyally serve Christ – who has already won the battle.
Speak – not so that we can be heard – but to point others to Jesus. May God use the words of our mouth to receive the honor and the praise that only He deserves.
I am praying for you. May God use you and your words in a mighty way. May others find their way to Him because you didn’t condemn or judge or vomit your opinion, but because you were brave and lovingly shared the hope that is found in Christ alone.
Love -
Pam
p.s.
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A Note from Pam:
Hi friend! I am so glad you are here. It is my desire to encourage you to follow Jesus and become intentional about leading.
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Thank you for being here!