When Silence Isn't Golden

By Joe Slater     We spend the first year trying to get the baby to talk; then we spend the next seventeen years trying to get him to be quiet!     There is a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Even Jesus was silent when the occasion called for it (Matthew 26:63).     But silence isn’t always golden. Sometimes it’s counterproductive or downright sinful. When David had sinned, his guilt ate him alive as long as he kept it bottled up inside. “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long” (Psalm 32:3). Only when he confessed to God did he find pardon and relief.     When you have information that can help other people, remaining silent about it would be sinful! For example, when Syria besieged Jerusalem, a terrible famine resulted. The Lord caused the Syrians to flee, leaving behind abundant food. The four lepers who discovered it knew they must tell others. “This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we want until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household” (2 Kings 7:9).     If remaining silent in that day of good news would have been sinful, how much more if Christians stay quiet about the gospel of Christ? Paul had suffered terrible abuse for evangelizing virtually everywhere he went. Still, he came to Corinth and led many to Christ. The Lord told him, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10).     Speak to the Lord about your burden of sin! Speak to other people about the Gospel! Silence isn’t golden!

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com