The times we are presently in bring forth many temptations where we may be enticed to do or say things in response to statements that go against what we believe, where we may also want to have our “voice” heard. But even if we were to say something based on our own convictions, is whatever we say going to make a difference? Biting our tongue and keeping quiet can be quite a challenge. Knowing when to stay silent and when to speak involves much patience and wisdom. These two characteristics don’t come out of thin air, but it is a gift from God to develop these traits, through His Holy Spirit, which is the same power that Christ was filled with when He was in the similar situations that we all go through when we are put to the test.
The question we hear often with all the inconsistencies around us is, what is the Truth? That is easy for us to answer since we have been called out of this world to understand the Truth, by believing in the Bible, which is the Book of Truth, and it has been proven to us that the Bible is in fact true. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” The Bible proves itself. We don’t pick and choose what we want to believe and accept things here and there that contradict and violate what the Bible says. If we then believe that the Bible is the Truth, we need to go a step further as it says in the prior verses in 2 Timothy 3:14-15, “…continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
We do this through the two character traits of wisdom and patience, which go hand in hand, as wisdom produces patience. James 1:4-5 makes that clear. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Truth was also the focus of what Christ taught. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). John 13:17 states: “And if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Our commission in the Church is to teach the Truth according to the Bible, and there will be those who do not agree and will forsake the Church, and there are also those who may know the Truth, BUT choose not to obey. What has history taught us, when things had changed and change was introduced to the Truth? It wasn’t Godly, for we read in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
This is a warning for us to be cognizant of worldly beliefs and not to return to what we came out of. God has called US out of that lifestyle for the purpose of NOT returning to it. And He has shown us the Truth through His Word in the pages of the Bible. Christ spoke the Truth boldly when He had to, and this is what we are to do, when we have to. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). When we are in a situation when our beliefs are being questioned, we need to stand up with boldness for the Truth, and there are many examples throughout the Bible of those who did just that.
We know what is right, we know what is good, and we know what the Truth is. And if we know this, we have to do it, especially when the Bible makes it clear. Using the knowledge that has been granted to us is vital in developing patience which will help us determine when to speak and when not to.
