In The Arguments And Trials Of Life, The Powerful Route Is Often Way Of Silence

The best thing about being right, when you are right, is that you can be quiet about it. You don't have to say a thing. The truth lets itself be known. Remember this in the discourses of life.

God will send events to defend you.

Arguing rarely solves anything, and stokes the power of the enemy.

Are there times we have to speak up? Are there occasions that we have to talk in our own defense? Are there times we have to be firm?

Of course. There are times we have to let others know they have hurt us. There are times we have to warn. There are times we have to admonish, especially those who are younger.

Silence is not always golden.

But often -- most often, in the midst of turmoil -- we don't regret what we have not said.

Talking is a plague of our time. Everyone talks. They talk constantly. They talk at home. They talk on the phone. They talk in the car. They talk on the phone in the car. They talk at work. They talk on the computer. They listen to talk radio. On television -- while we talk again on the phone, or with each other -- are the talking heads.

Would not that it be talking hearts!

To talk to the extent we do opens us to evil because it is hard to talk that long without entering into criticality, pretension, or gossip.

"He who guards his mouth and tongue," says Proverbs (21:23) "guards his soul from troubles."

Often, we wish we could take words (or tone of voice) back. We say what we wish we had not. Strife occurs. Why keep going through this? The tongue is a fire that can consume us. It says this too in Scripture. A tongue can be "a sharp sword," says Psalm 57:4. It's hard not to complain -- to verbally fight back -- when we are insulted. It's hard not to complain when loved ones don't listen -- when they leave you open to hurt (or even danger, physical or otherwise). It's hard not to holler at those who wrong you.

But in many circumstances there is the power of forgiveness, docility, and silence. The most powerful night in history was a silent one.

When we restrain our tempers in the midst of temptation we graduate to a level that brings a grace, and that grace causes events to speak for us -- loudly. Look at Jesus!

We are not to do so with bitterness. We are not to do so with relish. We are not to use the "silent treatment" as a flog (which is a form of malice). We're to forgive and inform and move on. Mainly, it has to do with debate. It has to do with senseless disputes.

Silence clears the air.

Silence lets us see the other side.

Silence invites prayer.

Loudly proclaim the dangers of today, yes; loudly admonish evil; loudly warn when there is the presence of the demonic.

But discipline yourself not to react to everything.

"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless," says James (1:26 and 3:6). "The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell."

This we can do without!

The solution?

Discipline. It is the key to most problems. It is certainly the key to keeping the mouth shut.

When antagonistic thoughts enter your mind, say, "Jesus, think this for me."

Jesus, think that thought....

"Jesus, think this for me!"

When you are tempted to react verbally, especially if it is antagonistic, say, "Jesus speak for me."

Jesus speak through my voice...

"Jesus speak for me." Say it until there is peace.

When you need to do something in correction, say: "Jesus, act through me."

Jesus act for me.

Say a Hail Mary.

Jesus... Jesus... It is the most powerful word on earth, and it transforms us into funnels of the Holy Spirit, through Whom truth becomes as clear as it is loud.

07/06/07