When Silence Speaks

There are times that we are struck by the weight of words--heard or read. But, there are also times when silence speaks loudly. The silence I have in mind is the absence of certain elements or patterns of speech. Sometimes, we may be (even unconsciously) impacted by what we don’t hear someone saying. In other words, a person’s character and influence (at least in part) can be known and felt by things we continually don’t hear them saying. For, sometimes, silence speaks.

Consider:

We may hear an invitation to confide in someone because we do not hear them gossip, slander, demean, or wrongfully criticize another.

We might learn gratitude and graciousness from a friend by the absence of complaint, grumbling, and constant comparisons.

We can hear a brother’s purity and propriety by the silence of anything crass, vulgar, or obscene.

We can listen to a sister’s reverence for God by the absence of careless words and coarse, disrespectful references to God.
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The Lord Jesus was no stranger to speaking by silence. His silent pause with the self-righteous Pharisees and the absence of condemning rhetoric with the woman caught in adultery heralds his wisdom, patience, and gentleness (John 8:1-11). On trial, his silence before the false accusers declared his faith in the Father (1 Peter 2:22-23). And, on the cross his silence among the mockers and scoffers proclaimed his love as our Substitute and Savior (Isaiah 53:1-7; Matt 27:27-30, 35-44).

If we listen carefully, we can hear silence speaking.

So, what will you not say today that will sound like Jesus and prove helpful to someone else?