When To Be Silent
This post will consider the times it is better to be silent. The main points are taken from the book ‘Reflections of a Discerning Christian’ by Nelson Thomas. I have also added a few of my own points after meditating on the same verses.
In connection with our self-worth and ego
1 Samuel 10:27- But some rebels said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
When someone questions our personality, motives, ability, we may be tempted to give a fitting reply, yet the scripture admonishes us to hold our peace.
In this example, Saul reacted well in the face of his rebels. He could have tried to crush the opposition. But he understood that he became the leader of Israel as its first king. He understood that it would take time to win the people over and held his tongue. Eventually the people of Israel accepted him.
When our words hurt a fellow-believer
Job 13:5 - Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom!
If our speech only aggravates the pain of someone, it’s better what we keep silent.
In this example, Job is disappointed with the counsel of his friends. They were silent for seven days, but Job wished that they had been silent the whole time. Their words did nothing but goad Job and make him upset with their advice.
Among the wicked and foolish men
Psalm 39:1,2 - I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good;
It’s always better to keep quiet when we perceive that the people around us may not really appreciate our words
David is prayerfully approaching God asking for His help to guard his tongue in front of wicked men. He knew that his words could have been misconstrued or used as a criticism against God. David felt in this instance it was better to say nothing rather than risk it by speaking.
At the threat and mockery of the unbelievers
Joshua 6:10 - Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.”
Isaiah 36:21 - But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
Any effort to answer men who intimidate and ridicule us would be equivalent to ‘negotiating with Satan’
In the example from Joshua, we see the people of Israel about to conquer Jericho. Joshua obeyed God’s commands. The people of Jericho saw that the Israelites were silently marching around their city. They may have mocked them, but soon judgment would be upon them.
In the example from Isaiah, King Hezekiah made the command for himself, his officials and his people to remain silent. He did this because there is no point in trying to match up against demonic logic. It is better to just be silent and trust God instead of speaking to win an argument.
In response to God’s greatness and judgment
Habakkuk 2:20 - “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”
As we come face to face with the greatness and glory of God, especially in His judgements, our response could be utter silence. As we realize how awesome is our God and irrevocable are His decrees, we are forced to shut our mouths
In this example, Habakkuk is saying that the earth would be silent in the Lord’s presence. This is seen as a call to worship and silence in the face of the awesome power and supremacy of God.
