“…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather EXPOSE THEM.” (Eph. 5:11) There are times when we are to remain silent and there are times when we are to SPEAK UP. The times when Christians are to remain silent are when we’re removing ourselves from conflict, listening to instruction, and when controlling our speech. Sometimes we must go before the Lord and STAND STILL IN HIS PRESENCE. Sometimes we need to be silent and GET AWAY FROM DISTRACTIONS TO HEAR THE LORD. “BE STILL, and know that I am God…” (Psa. 46:10)
Achan took things and hid them under the ground in his tent (the Lord told them not to touch anything of the enemies because it was accursed). He thought no one knew and no one would find out. We learn that for one member of the body to sin affects the whole body. The men of Ai struck down God’s people and Joshua cried out to the Lord. “So the LORD said to Joshua: “GET UP! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, they have even taken some of the accursed things, and they have put it among their own stuff.” (Joshua 7:10-11)
Now was the time to SPEAK UP and resolve this sinful problem. “Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and MAKE CONFESSION TO GOD, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” (Joshua 7:19) Achan confessed, the stolen items were burned and GREAT VICTORY returned to Israel.
WE MUST BE HONEST, BOLD and SPEAK UP FOR THE LORD…
-Bill Stockham