IS SILENCE A VIRTUE
INTRODUCTION
Is silence a virtue in a world that has become domineering, opinionated, combative, and contentious with an angry spirit to facilitate its way; provoking dispute, quarrelsome in nature; violent in its demeanor? Are we seeing a minority gaining control due to such characteristics?
An unknown author wrote: Love America (could be any country suffering a similar fate) but love her wisely. Work hard to cure the faults, the mistakes under which she labors. Work to bring her closer to the ideal that is the real America. Do not leave her to be ruled by a few who make it their business and profit to rule. She is yours. Is silence a virtue as we see violence and ungodly traits exhibited by those seeking to control and dominate?
Apostle James wrote: Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man works not (does not produce) the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20). It was noted that biblical guidance is always best in such circumstances; whereas a wrathful spirit inflames anger, and anger inflames talk!
Is Silence a Virtue
Everything There is a Season
Scripture reveals: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). A time to rend (tear apart), and a time to sew (sew together); a time to keep silence, and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7). It was noted that in an evil time, a time of calamity, it is not a time to be talkative, especially in a vain way; in the presence of wicked men who make mockery of the righteousness of man.
On the other hand, there is a time to speak (in a rightful manner) both publicly and privately. It was noted that what comes to pass is not so much because a few people want it to happen, but because the mass of citizens abdicate their response ability and let things be (Antonio Gramsci).
Muzzle Placed on
the Church
Silence is to restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, such as to silence the righteous, to wipe out the influence of the godly. It was noted that the World suffers not because of the violence done by the wicked but because the righteous keep silence (Napoleon Bonaparte). It is as if a muzzle has been placed on the church; with the flow of righteousness quenched through the voice of a few who make it their business to do so!
One does not have to bear the traits of the ungodly in speaking out; but not to be muzzled either! Virtue is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong; strength in godly character and courage, purity of soul, and the virtue of temperance (self-control).
Tearing Down of
Strongholds
Trading blows for blows does not reflect the righteousness of God; but a godly demeanor in presenting the truth will. Scripture reveals: God will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9). The Psalmist wrote: The Lord brings the council of the heathen (ungodly) to nought; he makes the devices (plans) of the people of no effect (Psalm 33:10).
Apostle Paul noted: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of human standards), but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds; casting down imaginations (arguments), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Speak Wisely Not
Foolishly
Is silence a virtue? Scripture reveals: He that keeps his mouth and his tongue (speaking wisely not foolishly) keeps his soul from troubles (Proverbs 21:23). The prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time (Amos 5:13). Apostle Peter noted: It is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of men (1 Peter 2:15). Apostle Paul: Recompense (pay) no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17).
The evilness of man is flaunted though demanding acceptance by all; presenting such as honorable, and desirous, as the forbidden fruit presented by the Devil’s representative (the serpent) in the Garden of Eden, which was costly to all concerned (Genesis Chapter 3)! It is costly to any nation who allows evilness to reign in the land; especially in persuading others towards acceptance.
Allowing Abomination
to Reign
The Prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I (God) visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15).
Many nations have fallen into the category of unfaithfulness to God in allowing abomination to reign rather than uphold the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God! We are seeing the demise of those who once stood strong in godly ways.
Is silence a virtue in such a time; no, for it is silence towards promoting the things of God, and allowing ungodliness to reign that has fostered a withdrawal from God, and His umbrella of protection, as in the days of Jeremiah.
Refusal to Walk in
a Godly Manner
It was noted that the people’s stubborn refusal to walk in the traditional ways of true righteousness was often mentioned by the Prophet Jeremiah. Moving in their own paths and following their own way led to destruction. Jeremiah, in sounding the alarm, cried out: Thus saith the Lord, stand you in the ways (ways of God), and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls, but they said, we will not walk therein.
I set watchmen over you,
saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said we will not hearken
(Jeremiah 6:16-17). Is silence a virtue;
in this case it became necessary to warn the people, by a man of God, due to the people refusing to receive the Word of God and what it would cost for doing so!
Result of Rejection
The Prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Hear O earth; behold, I (God) will bring evil (calamity) upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts because they have not hearkened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it (Jeremiah 6:19). Is silence a virtue in such a time; is it not a time to cry out to God in repentance!
Scripture reveals: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face; and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). It was noted that while this promise was originally given regarding the people of Israel, it is applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. This verse is a high expression of God’s loving readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people.
Dereliction of Duty
Preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours to a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of Justice, the pulpit is responsible for it.
If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact; but let us lay it to heart, and awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation (Charles G. Finney). Those words were conveyed in the First Great Awakening; how much more do they need to be proclaimed in this hour?
World Domination
Is silence a virtue as we see nations seeking world domination? Is it not time to speak out (in a godly manner) to warn others not to be taken in by flowery speeches that hide the true nature of what is being proclaimed. It was noted that a certain political leader made frequent use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian beliefs which would become the pillars of the new government.
He spoke of his spirituality to the press; he displayed his tattered Bible and declared that he drew the strength for his great work from it, with many Christians welcoming him as a man sent from God. Who was this leader? It was Adolf Hitler! Silence was due to the people having been deceived into acceptance; their eyes being closed to the truth!
Acceptance of Ungodly
Traits
The Psalmist David wrote: Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous (Psalm 31:18). Is silence a virtue in such a case? We are seeing a homing in on the ungodly traits of homosexuality, same sex marriage, and transgenderism, with voices speaking out to commend those who are partaking; rather than condemning such ungodly activity as being an abomination to God!
There is a gross injustice being committed, especially to the youth who at a tender young age are susceptible to influence, with no turning back to the normality of life, as in the case of transgenderism, with their God-given identity being altered. A new generation is being created; leaving God out of the equation by influencing the minds of the youth! One man noted: Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted (Vladimir R Lenin).
In the Prescribed
Moment
Apostle Peter revealed: Add to your faith (in Christ) virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (godly love) (2 Peter 1:5-7).
It was noted add to your faith (the believer in Christ) indicates the areas of growth that follow after salvation. Virtue is moral excellence. Knowledge is spiritual truth. Temperance is self-control. Patience is endurance. Godliness is God-likeness. Brotherly kindness is brotherly love. Charity is godly love.
This is a process to a lifelong cycle of spiritual growth for all believers in Christ; and under such a precept the question; is silence a virtue, will be answered at the prescribed moment, as to when to speak and when to hold one’s peace!
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