The Power of Silence

Romans 14:22b, NKJV

     It's been said that "Actions speak louder than words."  And in a way, this is true.  Just saying we'll do something but not sticking to our word does not say much good about our character.  Actions certainly do speak.  But words do as well.  Have you ever considered, though, how much power is in our silence?  That is the topic of this week's post.

     As I've learned about leadership, one of the best sayings I've heard is "Silence is acceptance."  This holds so much truth.  No one truly knows our opinion unless we speak our mind.  Otherwise the opinion of the majority will rule.

     So what if we don't speak our mind?  What if we stay silent about our faith or convictions?  What does that say?  Quite understandably, it says nothing.  In the sight of bystanders, we've just proved our faith to be, well... we haven't really proved our faith to be anything!  But that's the point.  Our silence does not prove anything about our faith.

     In the presence of sinful conversation, action, or overall environment, what does silence do?  It does nothing.  In fact, this goes a step further: silence shows that we are completely comfortable with the situation. Our silence "approves" what's going on, which is just what Romans 14:22 mentions.

     Are you condemning yourself in what you approve?  Is your silence showing others that you're content with sin?  This is something that I struggle with often.

    Silence is acceptance.  What are you accepting?