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 circumstances?
An unknown author wrote: Love America but love her wisely. Work hard to cure the faults; the mistakes under which she labors (could be in reference to any other nation suffering a similar fate). 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 when we see violence and ungodly traits being exhibited by those seeking to control and dominate?
Is Silence a Virtue
In Everything There is a Season
Scripture reveals: To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1); a time to rend (tear apart), and a time to sew (bring together) (Ecclesiastes 3:7). It was noted that in an evil time, a time of calamity is not a time to be talkative, especially in a vain way; in the presence of wicked men. Jesus said: Cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend (tear) you (Matthew 7:6).
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 a wrathful spirit inflames anger and anger inflames talk. There is a time to speak (in a right manner) both publicly and privately.
Muzzle Placed on the Church
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). It is not always the one who shouts the loudest who is bearing the truth; seeking to dominate the scene, but a truth bearing individual quiet in demeanor but powerful in the spoken word of truth.
Tearing Down of Strongholds
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 noted: 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 wrote: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of human standard), but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds; casting down imaginations (argument), 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 keeps his soul from troubles (Proverbs 21:23). The Prophet Amos wrote: The prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time (Amos 5:13). Apostle Peter: It is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of man (1 Peter 2:15). Apostle Paul: Recompense (pay) not man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17).
The evilness of man demands acceptance by all; presenting such as honorable, and desirous, as that of the forbidden fruit presented by the Devil’s representative (the serpent) in the Garden of Eden, which was costly to all concerned (Genesis 3:14-19). It is also costly to any nation, or individual, who allow evilness to reign; and 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 (sinfulness)? 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).
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, and provision, as in the days of Jeremiah. The church, in some cases, has not been immune towards allowing such to occur by promoting a progressive social gospel that does little to uphold the Word of God and diminish sin.
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 ways led to destruction. Jeremiah, in sounding the alarm, said: 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 (Jeremiah 6:16).
I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said we will not hearken (Jeremiah 6:17). 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 its cost for doing so. Are their watchmen today, sounding the alarm, but again few being attentive to that Word? Apostle Paul revealed a time when the people will not endure sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3).
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, or 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
A legendary evangelist of the First Great Awakening, Charles G. Finney, noted that 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 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.
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).
We are witnessing a homing in on the ungodly traits of homosexuality, same sex marriage, and transgenderism, with those embracing such speaking out to justify what is an abomination in the sight of God. Thank God for those individuals who are openly opposing this ungodly agenda rather than endorsing it.
Growth Follows Salvation
Apostle Peter wrote: Add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (2 Peter 1:5-7).
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. Is silence a virtue, when one is qualified to speak in a godly manner, displaying each of the mentioned characteristics in the process?
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