Speak Up!

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

– Acts 4:18-20

The saying goes that loose lips sink ships. And in wartime, careless overheard words do lead to lost battles, planes, and ships ... as well as to fatalities and other casualties. So, it should be no surprise that as we go about our daily activities, our own loose lips can cause immense damage — and even spiritual death — when the wrong words reach the wrong person.

A related adage is that you don’t let your mouth write a check that you can’t cash. In other words, don’t say something unless you mean it and are willing to back it up with action. Our tongues can get us into lots of hot water. And when we’re too quick to speak and even quicker to anger, catastrophe and regret often follow.

However, there are times when the Holy Spirit can convict us to speak up without the need for much thought, such as when we witness obvious injustice, cruelty, or other violations of God’s law. And that message comes in many forms — but never in a way that contradicts Scripture. For example, it might be through that small, still voice that tells us the right thing to do in an unexpected situation. A spiritual directive could also come through Bible study, a situation at home or at work, daily circumstances, and even that chance meeting with a friend you haven’t spoken with in years. Was that unexpected late-night phone call or text just a coincidence? Not necessarily!

When it comes to entertainment, politics, or sports, we’re likely quick to speak up for our favorite celebrity or president — or even defend our opinion about who’s the NFL’s greatest quarterback. But what about issues of much greater importance? Let’s take the advice of King Solomon, who offers us these timeless words of wisdom recorded in Proverbs 31:8-9:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of all those who have nothing,” he tells his 21st century readers like you and me. “Speak up and judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”