Articles
Sinful Silence
The Bible warns us about our need to control or bridle our tongue lest it be used for sinful purposes (James 1:26). One way we might bridle our tongue is to refrain from speaking at times. The Bible will teach us the wise course of action is to refrain from speaking at times. Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (NKJV). Proverbs 13:3 states, “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (NKJV). Proverbs 17:27-28 teaches, “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive” (NKJV). Proverbs 18:2 reminds us, “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart” (NKJV). A passage which might be good for us to remember is, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11, NKJV). Sometimes it is not best to say whatever we are thinking or feeling at the moment. Perhaps we need to be quiet and get our thoughts and feelings in order before opening our mouth. There are times when it is best for a person to simply not say anything. However, as I contemplated these thoughts recently I was reminded of how there is a type of silence which can actually be sinful.
Ecclesiastes 3 points out there are different seasons and times for different activities throughout life. The end of verse 7 speaks of, “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (NKJV). Perhaps one of the challenges we face at times is knowing when to keep silent and when to speak. A very basic principle should come to our minds when we think about times it may be sinful to remain silent. Obviously, it is sinful to remain silent instead of warning people who are in sin. Ezekiel was selected by God to be a watchman for the house of Israel. God told Ezekiel, “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand” (Ezekiel 3:18, NKJV). Again He says, “When a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand” (Ezekiel 3:20, NKJV). The same idea is expressed once again to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 33:6-8. God does not allow us to remain silent when we know a person is lost in sin. God expects us to sound the warning like a watchman would do. Such a principle is not limited to only the prophet Ezekiel. The apostle Paul said, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27, NKJV). If Paul had failed to teach them the whole counsel of God, he would be partly responsible for their failure to be right with God. Addressing a larger audience than a prophet or an apostles, Proverbs 24:11-12 teaches, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (NKJV). God expects people to speak up when someone is lost in sin and He knows when we fail in this regard.
Are we engaging in sinful silence because we are perhaps fearful of failing if we try (Matthew 25:24-30)? Are we content to simply not engage in wickedness but fail to actually expose it (Ephesians 5:11)? Are we engaging in sinful silence by not taking the gospel to non-Christians around us (Matthew 28:18-20)? Are we engaging in sinful silence by not correcting a brother who is caught in a trespass (Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:19-20)? Let’s make sure we use our tongue in a righteous and godly manner! Let’s make sure we do not engage in the sin of being silent when we need to speak!
