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 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]

Holding one’s tongue can be the right strategy at times. There is a time for 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 that, 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 men require if they would live.

Do you fear that if you speak a timely word, you might rend 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 in just the same way.

Certainly, when we speak, we must speak truth in love (Eph. 4.15), having our speech always seasoned with grace (Col. 4.6).

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 warns of discipline from our loving Father if we fail to amend our practice (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.

Easier said than done, no doubt.

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 and proclaiming grace and truth. Don’t worry about planning out what you’ll want to say in every situation before you. The Spirit can provide what He wants you say (Lk. 12.11, 12).

Be filled with Him, and with His Word, and learn to listen, listen for the still, small voice of the Spirit. He Who guides us into all truth can guide us into all appropriate speech – or silence – as well.

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!

Lord, let there be no unrighteousness in me, so that I might speak Your truth with love, as I ought to speak. Adapted from Colmán mac Beógnai, Aipgitir Chrábaid.[2]

ReVision Resources for You
We can all improve our conversational skills so that we make the most of every opportunity to speak grace and truth to others. Seasoned with Grace, our newest ReVision resource, is available free of charge by clicking this link. You can use this study by yourself or with a group of friends to begin mastering the art of Christian conversation. That way, when it’s time to speak, you’ll be more effective in what you have to say.

Beginning next week our ReVision column will host the daily ViewPoint column and podcast. If you are not yet receiving this resource daily, go to the website and sign-up at the appropriate box. Each week our ViewPoint studies concentrate on a single theme. And each week the study for the week is bound in PDF format for personal or group use, and available at no charge. You’ll find them posted each week under our ReVision resources page.

Finally, let me encourage the men of The Ailbe Community to sign-up for our weekly Men at Prayer newsletter, which you can do on the home page at the website. We’re seeking to encourage a movement of men in prayer who will seek the Lord daily and together for revival, renewal, and awakening. Download the brief paper, “Men of the Church: A Solemn Warning”, and learn how you can take your place in this important new effort of The Fellowship of Ailbe.

Psalms to Pray for Today and Tuesday
Today
Morning: Psalm 119.81-88; Psalm 85
Evening: Psalm 11

Tuesday
Morning: Psalm 119.89-96; Psalm 86
Evening: Psalm 12

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.