What Is Keeping You Silent?

[Mr. M]

Both personal experiences and those shared with others in fellowship has made it clear
that sometimes very small offenses and transgressions keep us from entering into His presence. There is a word of faith that says that we cannot sin. That place is found in
abiding with the Holy Spirit. If this relationship were perfected on day one, we could
afford to ignore the sound teaching of scripture.

Isaiah 59:
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy,
that it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

David has made clear to us that while we all fall short of the glory of God, we should
deal with our every issue without delay.
Psalm 32:
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me. My vitality was turned into the
drought of summer.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will
confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

This is vital in keeping our relationships strong in the Lord.
Matthew 5:
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother
has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your
adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hands you over to the officer, and you
be thrown into prison.

Paul has made this much clear, that those who walk by faith in the forgiveness of sins
enjoy the double blessing.
Romans 4:
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is accounted for righteousness,
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes
righteousness apart from works:
7 & 8....
Psalm 32:
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not ]impute iniquity, and
in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When we trust in the mercy of the Lord, the songs of deliverance bring forth
shouts of joy and rejoicing of heart!
Psalm 32:
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord,
mercy shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright
in heart!

 

[DiscipleOfChrist85]

You want know what keeps me silent ? Fear and pride, for most of my life I was always a people pleaser and I always wanted the approval of my peers, so I did what they said even if I didn't like it. When I turned to Christ, I stopped trying to please everyone but I didn't want to offend anyone. I didn't want to be seen as that self righteous hypocrite Christian that everyone despised but mostly I stayed silent now I realize how hypocritical it is but the truth is I'm silent on many things because I still struggle and I still live like a worldly person because it gives me comfort.
I know it's wrong and God certainly feels the same way but God's way is anathema to me and my flesh and is unknown to me which scares me. I like to be in control, even if its an illusion because I don't want to give up my independence for no one because like most people I want to be my own master.
God has made it quite clear that cannot stand as that is not what I'm supposed to do. I'am to live for him and only him and his ways and I must deny my flesh of it's carnal ways because I'm a servant of the Lord and I'm tired of being my own master because there is no freedom in it.
I hate the person I have become but there is hope, because the person God intends me to become is not the person I'm now and I pray to be better. Jesus died for my sins, he has shown me grace and love and wisdom and hope even though I do not deserve it and I will not be silent about that. I will not be silent about my testimony nor about the Gospel and I will no longer tolerate injustice from myself or others.
The only time I will be silent is to listen to God and God alone.

 

[Mr. M]

The only time I will be silent is to listen to God and God alone.

Now you have hit on the key. Your silence spent listening enables you to speak when instructed
by the Spirit. Obedience to the voice of the Spirit is what matters, not self-effort. I have known
people who shared the Gospel with others by rote, like some sort of call center employee reading
from a script. This one guy always said the same thing to everyone he met: "have you had the
opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
That might peak an interest and start a conversation, or it might be a complete turnoff.
You don't know what people already know or have experienced so you cannot assume anything.
Jesus has instructed us:
Luke 21:
13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to
contradict or resist.
This only works if you have learned through the discipline of silence to hear His Voice.
You are on a right path if you have learned to keep silent. Now grow from there.
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that
shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Silent Bob was on to something.