In both the Old and New Testaments there are many admonitions given to people to keep silent. In fact, numerous proverbs speak of the wisdom of the individual who rarely talks, and the folly of the person who speaks often. Seldom will you find anyone in the Bible encouraged to speak up, to talk more, to not keep silent. However, there are a few exceptions to this.

At times the Scriptures will admonish a person to not remain silent. "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this?" (Esth. 4:14). "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent" (Isa. 62:6). "Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent" (Acts 18:9).

Circumstances will arise in the Christian's life where we would be wrong if we failed to speak up. Sinners all around us are in desperate need of the word of life (Phil. 2:16), and so we must tell them the good news of salvation. Co-workers or friends speak and do ungodly things in our presence, we must remain loyal to Christ and confess His teachings unto them (Matt. 10:32-33).

When a brother or sister in Christ is involved in sin and refuses to repent, they need to be admonished and rebuked (Rev. 3:19; Gal. 6:1). When a gospel preacher begins to teach a false doctrine (Rom. 16:17), we cannot afford to remain silent (Titus 1:10-11). When those who are disorderly in the local church remain undisciplined (2 Thess. 3:6), we must be brave, faithful, and speak up!

Too many Christians today remain silent when their voice needs to be heard. It has been said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." And we might add, "or for good men to say nothing." May our God grant us the wisdom to discern those times when we should say nothing, and those times when we must refuse to keep silent!