The Sound of Silence

Silence is the absence of ambient audible sound, the emission of sounds of such low intensity they do not draw attention to themselves, or the state of having ceased to produce sounds; this latter sense can be extended to apply to the cessation or absence of any form of communication, whether through speech or other medium.

Two Biblical examples of Silence

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10 NIV

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 KJV

Listening work wonders! Loving silence has its rewards, it can tell the one sitting next to you that you care. It can say to the hurting heart, “I want to free you to think about yourself, your troubles, as well as your needs and desires”. Because I love you, I am interested in you, I am willing to be here and sit in silence with you.

Job was a faithful servant of God yet he was faced with difficulties, he was visited by his friends during a most difficult time when they heard of the tragedy he had. They got together and travelled from their homes to comfort and console him. I can imagine he might have been discouraged from his faith but he remained silent. When they arrived they were rendered speechless by Job’s obvious sickness and pain, they sat beside him in silence. They had the ministry of presence and they showed him that they cared and wanted to be with him.

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. Job 2:11 KJV

There is a ministry of presence and a ministry of silence

Ecclesiastes echoes that “there is a time to be quite and a time to speak up”

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7 KJV

Can we ask ourselves these simple questions? 1. Can we sit with a friend in silence?

1. When someone is going through difficult times can you let them vent cry or spill while you simply listen or do you interrupt with every opportunity you get to try to complete their sentences for them?

2. In life do we feel that we must try to give an answer to all of our everday problems?

3. Do you tend not to pay complete attention to what someone else is saying, just waiting for your opportunity to speak or even dare to share your troubles?

In reality sometimes we need to listen not to talk too much or be quick to give answers. James gives good advice when he says “Be quick to listen, slow to speak.”

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19 KJV

Conclusion

Sometimes we as Christians face difficulties and discouragements, let us remain calm, our anger never makes things right in the sight of God. Let us keep silent because we know that God will make a way and He will never give us more than we can handle because when we have been tried we will come out victorious.

Bible Verses About Silence All Taken From KJV

But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. Judges 3:19

It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Job4 :16

Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. Job 29:21

Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Job 31:34

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Psalms 31:18

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. Psalms 32:3

This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far from me. Psalms 35:22

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. Psalms 39:2

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. Psalms 50:3

These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Psalms 50:21

A Song [or] Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. Psalms 83:1

Unless the LORD [had been] my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. Psalms 94:17

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. Psalms115:17

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7

The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; Isaiah 15:1