Day 30 - The Silent Tongue

Silent - making no sound, refraining from speech, speechless, mute, unspoken - understood, implied

Apparently the saying Silence is golden is only a part of the proverb. It is actually Speech is silver, silence is golden. The author shares a story in which silence is not golden.
'I heard a story about a husband and a wife who were feuding and giving each other the silent treatment. One night he realized he needed her to wake him up at an early hour to catch a flight. Not wanting to humble himself and be the first to break the silence, he left her a note to wake him at 5 am. The next morning he awakened to find out that he had overslept by a couple hours and had missed his flight. As he leaped out of bed to go and angrily confront her, he noticed a piece of paper on his nightstand. The note read, "It is 5 am. Wake up!"
Deborah Pegues showed us 29 days of negative ways we use our tongue. She has dedicated the last chapter to ways in which silence is not necessarily the best way to use (or not use) our tongues. She reminds us that talking is essential to maintain good relationships. These are the instances the author shares when silence is not golden.
1. When someone uses it as a passive, retaliatory means of expressing anger or displeasure.
2. When we refuse to defend someone against unwarranted criticism or vicious rumors.
3. When our silence results in us making an undesireable decision by default. Silence can indicate consent.

#1 The Silent Treatment as its lovingly referred to. Unfortunately I can recall too many instances as a parent or in my first marriage when I used this as a means of manipulation to get my own way. Thankfully God speaks to me very quickly if I try to use this form of the tongue now.
#2 Silent in the face of Injustice. Don't we all need someone who will defend us and our character. I hope I can stand for things that are right, or not right. If someone comes against my character, I pray that God will defend me through another. What about those who have no voice at all like the abused, abandoned, orphaned, widows. Are we making a stand with our words and actions for them?
#3 Mob mentality. Are we willing to stand up and face persecution or risk not being liked or understood in order to not silently agree with decisions being made. Prayer has been taken out of public schools because the majority of people did not protest. How many things have we silently agreed to? How many things could be changed by one brave voice? How many lives could be saved?
I love the story of Esther. I encourage you to take time to read this amazing book in the bible. In a short synopsis, Esther, a young Jewish woman, found favour with King Xerxes when he banished his wife who disobeyed him. He made Esther his queen. Through a series of events in which Esther spoke up, risking her life more than once, a whole nation was saved.
Her uncle spoke these words to encourage her to intercede for their people. 4:14 'For if you remain silent at this time relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this.'
So although we are not likely in a royal position, be aware of any opportunity when God may be calling you to speak up, for such a time as this!
Speaking the Truth
1Peter 2:15 'For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.'

Excerpted from: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy available from: www.confrontingissues.com