When silence is sacred

Although Benjamin Franklin was a political mastermind and an exceptionally innovative engineer, he was also once a teenager. And like any good teenage boy, Franklin endeavored to agitate his older brother.

Adopting the persona of a middle-aged widow named Silence Dogood, Franklin secretly published a series of treatises in his brother’s newspaper, the New-England Courant. Dogood quickly became a Boston celebrity, enamoring readers with witty satire and even earning a few marriage proposals from infatuated readers.

Although Silence Dogood wrote in stark contrast to “her” name, the phrase brings a certain question to mind: Are there times when silence indeed does good?

Throughout the Bible, believers are continually called to speak up for the oppressed. Amos is an entire book on justice. Esther revealed a plot to kill the Jews. Moses boldly confronted Pharaoh.

Yet, at times, God’s people chose not to say anything at all, and their silence is still portrayed as faithful.

So … when is silence sacred?

Slow to speak

The tongue is one of man’s most powerful and destructive weapons. As such, James, the half-brother of Jesus, admonishes believers that the tongue is like a wildfire stoked by hell, defiling the body and derailing lives (James 3:5-7). This warning is harsh, but true. The tongue can lie, discourage, harm, and destroy people, while silence can often be a key tool for salvaging relationships.

Therefore, when words come from a place of unrighteous anger, silence is the better option. Plus, silence gives space to reframe conflicts, breathe in the peace of God, and respond with grace.

Silence also gives room to discern the will of God and to listen for His calling. Silence helps abandon the timetable of selfish desires and exchange it for God’s perfect timing, as mentioned repeatedly in Scripture.

For example, in Isaiah 42, the Israelites missed the work God was doing in their hearts to prepare them for the plan and perfect timing He had in store. Instead, they felt He was simply not answering their cries.

Modern believers are often frustrated by what appears to be God’s silence, when in reality, it is God’s timing that causes our frustration. But God’s sacred silence produces faith and patience in his children.

Lamb to the slaughter

In fact, the ultimate example of sacred silence is found in Jesus, the suffering servant.

As prophesied in Isaiah 53:7, throughout the trials that Jesus endured on His way to the cross, He was like a lamb. He suffered in silence.

He could have summoned the armies of heaven, but He meekly died a brutal and unjust death at the hands of those He came to save.

He did not try to escape conviction. He did not attack Peter after being denied three times. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorned its shame, and now sits at the right hand of God – until He returns for His people.

Jesus actively pursued justice. He defended the needy and the oppressed. He continually shared the good news and the truth about His Father. He displayed righteous anger.

But Jesus also sought silence. He drew near to the brokenhearted. And like a lamb, He willingly died to save us all.

Editor’s note: This is a condensed and adapted version of a blog that was originally posted July 9, 2024, at afa.net/thestand.