Thought for Friday, November 23rd

November 23, 2012

Silence Isn’t Always Golden

“Silence in the face of evil, is itself evil.  God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak.  Not to act is to act.”

-       Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Ironic, isn’t it: that we are, as Christians often charged to focus on saying less and speaking little: when we simultaneously must also recognize that there is a time to speak up and speak out.

We are called to declare the word of the Lord: and while we can do that in many ways by the way we live: we must also be willing to speak up, testify and give account of the hope and faith that are alive in us.

And as Christians, there are times when we must be ready and willing to speak up against evil and to put things into a proper perspective, even though our words might not be welcomed or desired.    Just as it is important to remember to love each other we must remember that love can be tough.  All scripture is given for inspiration, instruction, as well as correction: and there are those times when we see brothers or sisters in the faith, acting like the devil, that we need to call them on the carpet and hold them accountable for their deeds and actions.

We must always remember to enter such interchanges prayerfully and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit: but we must not be intimidated to be bold and courageous when the situation requires it.

Sadly it seems we have a tendency as Christians to be timid and meek in the face of evil and crash and bold when there is no call or justification for such behaviors.

I suppose that is why we need to rely so heavily on the power and presence of God in our life to keep us in check and help us know when which is appropriate and how to speak in love even when correction and admonition are warranted.

Today’s Prayer

Father, may I be bold to speak and quick to hush and wise enough to know which I need to do when.

“There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit, who brings a fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Frustrated brother see how he’s tired to

light his own candle some other way.

See now your sister she’s been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame.

So carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn.

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, go light your world.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Go Light Your World’ by Chris Rice