TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016.
SPEAK
To utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; to communicate vocally; to converse.
If anyone speaks, he should do so as one speaking the very words of God. I Peter 4:11.
But Jesus remained silent. Matthew 26:63.
We all learn, often the hard way, that there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent. When Jesus was taken before the high priest and getting close to what He knew would be His trial, they wanted testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. In Matthew 26:63 (above verse) we are told that Jesus kept silent and answered nothing. Here in America when someone is being asked to testify they claim the Fifth Amendment and do not answer any questions so they will not incriminate themselves. This was not why Jesus did not speak but by not talking Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah (53:7).
We are not told in the scriptures why Jesus kept silent but Jesus, for sure, had a reason and a purpose to keep silent. Jesus knew God’s plan and the purpose of His trial and he also knew the hearts of His accusers. Jesus knew if He responded to the charges it would have been futile. The Jewish leaders were intent on having Jesus killed. Jesus also said that it was only by dying on the cross that He could fulfill the will of His Father.
There is a time for all of us to speak and a time for us to keep silent. Some people just like to hear themselves talk and do not know when to keep quiet. There are others that talk because they like to argue just for arguments sake and love to have the last word.
In the verse we have put above from I Peter we are told that when we speak, we are to speak as one speaking the very words of God. What this means is that all of our conversations should honor God and be in keeping with the laws of God as written for us in God’s Word. For example, in other words we should not falsely accuse others, lie, criticize, argue, exaggerate, tell shady stories, or speak in anger but speak in a manner that benefits others and brings glory and honor to God. This will be difficult for most of us to do but it is the way God wants us to speak. Our goal should always be to honor God.
Early in the ministry of Jesus He often rebuked the Pharisees because He wanted to expose their wrong thinking and motives. He spoke when He needed to because saying nothing when wrongdoers talked would infer He agreed with them.
John wrote I John to correct false teaching in some of the churches so that believers would be properly warned. The apostle Paul was always concerned about what he spoke and how he spoke. His first priority was to speak the gospel message, the very words of God. He not only wanted to speak the words of God but to speak them boldly. In Ephesians 6:19 he asked for others to, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
We are told in the New Testament that Paul often used the word “boldly” to describe his preaching. In Acts 18:26 it says Paul “began to speak boldly in the synagogue (in Ephesus). In Acts 14:23 Paul was in Iconium “speaking” boldly for the Lord.
In I Timothy 4:12 Paul was instructing Timothy to set an example for the believers by his speech. God wants us to speak His Word, speak kindly at all times and speak boldly about our faith. Proverbs 15:1 reads, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Remember silence can be valuable so do not break it unless you can improve on it.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:1.
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Help me to learn when to speak and when to remain silent. May I also always speak boldly at every opportunity You give me about my faith.
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