The Shepherd Calls: When to speak

The City of Worcester, Mass. is in an upheaval about the placement of a new cemetery. Apparently disgusted with the behavior of his neighbors, Paul Joseph (a local citizen) noted, “This is America. Anybody that wants to can make any accusation they want to, and that has happened consistently in this situation.”

Mr. Joseph is correct; free speech is guaranteed by our constitution. Unlike Socrates, who was executed for saying the wrong things, we can speak our minds. However, a wise person will use this privilege sensibly. It is common for us to speak ardently about a matter and later discover we were wrong.

At some time, all of us have thought or said, “I wish I had not said that.” But, words are like spent arrows; they cannot be recalled. Most of us would do well to remember the following adage. “Be sure to put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in motion.”

No, that adage is not found in the Bible, but the Bible has much to say about our speech:

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble. (Proverbs 21:23)

“A fool utters all his mind, but a wise man keeps it in ‘til afterward.” (Proverbs 29:11)

The book of James cautions us the tongue is like a spark that kindles forest fires.

While most of us tend to talk too much, there are times when we should speak. For example, we should speak when we observe injustice, even if speaking brings us pain. Edmund Burke observed, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

In this land of freedom of speech, the problem is when to speak and when not to speak. I have observed we err most often on speaking when we should not, and we err frequently by not speaking when we are fearful of reprisal.

There is no easy answer to this speak/don’t speak dilemma. When in doubt, I pray the words from B. B. McKinney’s hymn, “Speak to my heart, Lord Jesus… seeking Thy will, speak to my heart, I pray.”

(You can email Bro. Paris at [email protected])