Silence

Silence

Our right to silence is an established precept in law, yet our silence as Christians almost certainly convicts us in both God’s eyes and in the eyes of the world.  1 Kings 18:21 “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.”

Most people who come across our path these days are just like the Israelites of Elijah’s day. They waver between two opinions.  “. . . he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6-8 So when we ask the hard question, they will, like the Israelites of old, answer with a shrug or with silence.

The trouble with silence, per sé, is that it can have a multitude of meanings and is ambiguous at best or condemning at worst. The majority of Christians are, like those on Mount Carmel, silent. By our silence, we allow minorities to trample all over us regardless of our feelings and our beliefs. We allow our rights to be stolen from us by a small vociferous minority. We allow our voice to be stolen from us by a small but vociferous minority.

Our silence condemns us.

The time for silence is over.  If we remain silent, then we will simply become a minority too. It is time for Christians to give voice, to challenge, to contest  these things. We don’t necessarily need to shout it round the streets and newspapers. We can play our part speaking out in conversations and just speaking to our neighbours. The vast majority of the Western world was built upon Christian principles and freedoms which most folk hold very dear. As they say in some circles – it is time to put up or shut up.

It is time for Christians to really start using their spiritual weaponry – prayer.  “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 It’s time for a bit of ‘availing’. Our corporate prayer hardly ever touches upon these things. C’mon people – wake up. Use the weapons of prayer and intercession at your disposal. Pray these things down and out.

Otherwise we surrender all Jesus died to do for us by our silence.