For the leaders of my people— the LORD’s watchmen, his shepherds— are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. Isaiah 56:10-12 (NLT)
A couple used to have three small dogs in their backyard. Two were yippy but one could muster no more than a hoarse whisper. When asked why, the dog owner explained that one used to bark incessantly, so they chose to clip his vocal cords. That stopped his annoying yapping, but it also rendered him useless as a watchdog.
Just as a mute watchdog is pointless, a leader who is silent in the face of danger, threats or evil is also useless.
Maybe you were raised by parents or grandparents who taught you, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
That sounds good, and it’s probably solid advice in many situations, but not always. If you see someone trying to hurt, trick, or scam someone, that is not a time to keep your mouth shut!
Christian author Eric Metaxas has conducted a deep study into German churches during the Nazi years. His research showed most pastors fell into three groups. Frighteningly, a large number of German pastors during those dark years actively supported the Nazis. About the same number of pastors actively spoke out against the evils the Nazis were doing. The largest group, however, took no side. In the face of Nazism, war, and the Holocaust, they were just silent.
Many times we think the main duty of being a Christian is to “be nice.” Yes, we are to be loving, but the Bible also commands “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Just as lies can often be comfortable, the truth is often painful. In today’s world actually, truth is often attacked as “hate speech” or “this violates community standards.”
We should try to be tactful and diplomatic, but withholding truth from those who need it is not love. It’s indifference.
In our age of terrorist threats, a common phrase around airports, subways etc. is “See something, say something.” That’s good advice for life.
In sum, we need a balance. Constant chatter is no good, but silence in the face of danger is also wrong. Ecclesiastes 3:7b tells us there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (KJV).
May we seek God’s wisdom: restraint for when to remain quiet and courage for when to speak up.
Go Deeper: Learn about author Eric Metaxas here.
S.D.G./S.G.D.