Sinful Silence

Sinful silence is by no means so common as sinful talk, but there are times when it may be quite as full of evil. A lie can be told by our saying nothing as well as in express words; for when silence gives consent to falsehood it is itself falsehood. To refrain from warning the unwary when we see that they are being deceived is to be an accomplice in the imposition. To quietly listen to false doctrine without seeking a fit occasion to enter a protest may soon amount to participation in the error. When a political wrong is being done, those who by their voices and votes might prevent it are partners in the iniquity, since they refuse to exercise their influence for truth and righteousness. “To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” When God calls us to speak, we sin if we are silent. Abstinence from all protest against evil may be the quietest way of living; but does a good soldier of Jesus Christ make his own comfort his first consideration? The Christian may by silence retain his friends and escape from making enemies; but what will his best Friend say of such traitorous conduct? To what end have we tongues but that we may speak the truth with them? We have idle words in plenty, and for these we must give an account in the day of judgment; and if of idle words, which are the ill fruit of the tongue, then be sure we shall be called to account for idle tongues, which yield no fruit at all. Dogs that are always barking are a nuisance, but dumb dogs that cannot bark are utterly useless. In the Kingdom of Christ the not doing of the Master’s will is punished as surely as actual rebellion. I cannot give God the service of my tongue by absolute silence; I must use it as occasion requires for his glory and for the good of men.

C.H. Spurgeon