WHEN SILENCE ISN’T GOLDEN

           Francis of Assisi is often attributed with having said, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”  The problem is there’s no record that Francis ever said such a thing.   As Mark Galli has noted, “he was well known for his preaching and often preached up to five times a day."  An even greater problem (beyond its origin) is the quote isn’t Biblical.   It’s a catchy and thought-provoking citation that reminds us of that chimney corner scripture that proclaims, “actions speak louder than words."  Both references remind us that our Christian walk must be of sterling character if we are to make progress in appealing to others to come and follow Jesus.  Indeed, we are called to be lights in the world in the midst of a culture filled with the crooked and perverse (Philip.2:15 with Eph.5:1-8). 

            It has become come popular of late to speak of living a missional life:  living so that others can see Christ in us.  It is nevertheless erroneous to conclude that words have no place in sharing Christ.  Slowly but surely, our post-modern world is drifting away from the authoritative nature of the written word of God.  As Paul wrote, (the gospel) is the power of God unto salvation (Rom.1:16).   We can never really lead others to the salvation that is in Christ Jesus without even-tually opening the Word of God.  And in most every case, opening The Word will be accompanied by our opening our mouths.  Ezekiel the prophet was directed by God to go to the house of Israel and speak My words to them.  He was also warned by God that if he did not speak out, he’d be accountable for his silence in failing to intervene (Ezk.3:4 & 18).   

            As Christians, we have an obligation to not only share the gospel of Christ, but to also expose evil (Eph.4:11).  One of Solomon’s wise proverbs states plainly, a man of understanding keeps silent (Prov.11:12b).  Silence can be golden, but it can also be yellow.  Elsewhere Solomon juxtaposed these dual ideas while affirming both:  (there is) a time to be silent, and a time to speak (Eccl.3:7).  While we must neither judge others harshly (Mt.7:1-2) nor set ourselves up as the Judge (Rom.14:14), we still have a responsibility to speak the utterances of God (1Pet.4:11).  Such often comes via education and exhortation, as well as admonition and rebuke.  As to social injustices, see Ps.37:30 & 82:3 with Isa.1:17 and Js.1:27.       

            For God’s children, the question is not if we shall engage in speaking up and speaking out, but when.  Well-trained educators encourage us to lay hold of those prime “teachable moments”.  Concerning the proclamation of grace with grace, Paul writes of making the most of our opportunity (Col.4:5).  No doubt there will be occasions when it is best to bide our time and bite our tongue, but we will also encounter situations where it would be sinful for us to not speak against evil.  Some words and deeds are just wrong!  They’re not wrong because we don’t particularly like them, but rather because God's Word declares them to be sinful.  To continually remain mum in the face of evil has a yellow cowardice about it.  At a time when the apostle Paul was apparently considering holding his tongue, the Lord told him in a vision, do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and DO NOT BE SILENT (Acts 18:9).

                                                                               Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ