Not to Speak Is to Speak

Not to Speak Is to Speak

Not to speak is to speakSince the hate-filled happenings in Charlotte, this Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote has been going through my mind. Over and over again. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” We can’t be silent anymore. Things are escalating rapidly, we need to act. We can’t stay silent any longer. Not to speak is to speak; it’s taking sides with evil. Is that what you want?

Not to speak is to speak

Sure, we would not want it to be so. We’d like to think we’re just keeping out of it because we’re not political. But that’s just it. This is not about politics. This is about human decency. It’s about respecting God-created human beings. It’s about sharing that love and grace that has been shared with us. There’s no way we can stay silent when all human beings are not treated equally.

It’s time to say what we have to say. Even if it’s scary. We can take courage from the Bible: “Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!” (Proverbs 31:8-9, MSG,*) This is our calling, folks. To speak out for all who are mistreated. Jesus loved all. We are called to do the same. I’m taking sides with Jesus. How about you?

 

Gracious God,
Forgive us for being silent in the face of evil.
Give us the courage to speak out every time
we see hate, discrimination or injustice.
Show us how to love like you.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen

Q4U: What do you think? Is silence taking sides with evil?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you speak out for justice!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses toBiblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.].

Photo by Marcos Luiz on Unsplash, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Dance with JesusFive-minute Friday.

7 thoughts on “Not to Speak Is to Speak

  1. I appreciate your thought here, Mari-Anna. I also felt compelled to speak and posted on social media about racism last Monday. (I never post on politics, but could not remain silent.)

  2. “What do you think? Is silence taking sides with evil?”

    Yes. Silence is the same as standing in the sidelines and letting person thug beat up an elderly lady. Silence lets evil reign.

    I appreciate your thought’s Mari-Ann. Thanks for sharing them.

  3. So true, Mari-Anna. Silence can be complicity.

    We do have to be careful what to say, though. Since Charlottesville, a lot of the verbiage has been incendiary, simply adding fuel to the fires of hatred.

    Our words, well-intentioned as they might be, may only serve to keep the wheel of anger turning.

    Removing statues will not destroy the good things they were meant to memorialize (and there was both honour and courage on the Confederate side); likewise, removal will not ease anyone’s pain. That hurt comes from within, and can only be healed by an inward-turning to God.

    If we are truly following Christ, we have to face the fact that He was not a social activist, even in the face of a barbaric regime. He preached that only love could replace hate.

    #2 at FMF this week.

    https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/08/your-dying-spouse-351-this-will-all-be.html

    1. Oh, yes. We need to be careful what to say and how to say it. Only love can replace hate. And we are called to love and speak in love. And that’s why we need God and his empowering and healing grace.
      Thanks so much, Andrew, for your thoughtful comment. Healing grace to you too!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RSS
Follow by Email