Can Silence Ever Be Beneficial?

In today’s age, we are told that silence is standing on the side of the oppressor - we are told we must choose a side - that we must be vocal.

What if sometimes, we are asked to be silent?

In the spiritual battle, there are only two sides: Satan and God.

One speaks lies constantly, and one is truth. (John 8:44; John 14:6)

One creates chatter, and one says be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

One says that you are worthless, and the other says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

One creates chaos, and one leads you beside still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

To receive the truth, it is sometimes imperative that we be both still and silent.

Every battle belongs to the LORD if we allow Him the opportunity to fight it for us. (1 Samuel 17:47)

There are times when God uses us vocally to carry out his works. This is very clearly depicted as Moses stood before Pharaoh to say, “Let my people go.” There is a time to stand and fight for justice,

There is also a time that we may need to be still and know the One who created all people equal. (Acts 17:25-28; John 3:16) This is clearly depicted as God came to Peter in a dream to show him that both Jews and Gentiles were his creation. (Acts 10:9-16)

Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything including “A time for Silence and a Time to Speak.”

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Ask God if this is a time for you to be silent and to learn about the injustices in this world before you speak things not in harmony with the truth of God’s word.

Also ask God if this is a time for you to speak against the injustices of his people and to speak in a way that is kind and honors Him.

Most importantly, know that this battle belongs to the LORD.