When It's Time to Speak Up

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters

“A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
I’ve never been a good debater or have loved arguments, but I know people who thrive on it. Doesn’t make them bad people – they are just better at it than I will ever be.
There are some people who are called in life to pick apart everything and everyone because that is their “gift.” We have learned with social media that free speech is a constitutional right that you have to make a comment on everything everyone else posts – just don’t have someone comment on your post.
So I know that my blog last week probably about when to be silent caused some folks to immediately take up the challenge as to say, “Ok, then when  is it time to speak up?”
So I thought I would do some study on the topic and give you some times from the Scripture when it is time to speak up or speak out. One of the most helpful things I read was from Dr. John Piper when he shared from Jonathan Edwards’s Resolutions. Here are Edwards’ twenty resolutions on the use of the tongue from the book of James. I have given you the references so you can check them out:

1. Resolved: To ask God for wisdom to speak and to do so with a single mind. (James 1:5-8)
2. Resolved: To boast only in my exultation in Christ or my humiliation in the world. (James 1:9-10)
3. Resolved: To set a watch over my mouth. (James 1:13)
4. Resolved: To be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak. (James 1:19)
5. Resolved: To learn the gospel way of speaking to the poor and the rich. (James 2:1-4)
6. Resolved: To speak in the consciousness of the final judgment. (James 2:12)
7. Resolved: To never stand on anyone’s face with words that demean, despise, or cause despair. (James 2:15-16)
8. Resolved: To never claim a reality that I do not experience. (James 3:14)
9. Resolved: To resist quarrelsome words as marks of a bad heart. (James 4:1)
10. Resolved: To never speak evil of another. (James 4:11)
11. Resolved: To never boast in what I will accomplish. (James 4:13)
12. Resolved: To always speak as one who is subject to the providences of God. (James 4:15)
13. Resolved: To never grumble, knowing that the Judge is at the door. (James 4:9)
14. Resolved: To never allow anything but total integrity in my speech. (James 5:21)
15. Resolved: To speak to God in pray whenever I suffer. (James 5:13)
16. Resolved: To sing praises to God whenever I am cheerful. (James 5:13)
17. Resolved: To ask for the prayers of others when I am sick. (James 5:14)
18. Resolved: To confess it whenever I have failed. (James 5:16)
19. Resolved: To pray for one another when I am together with others in need. (James 5:16)
20. Resolved: To speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (James 5:19-20)

So here is my challenge: FROM SCRIPTURE, what are examples of times when it IS time to speak up and not be silent? Share those with me and I will post them the following week.
Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!
Bill Welte
President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: Gen 36-39 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Things you say in a matter of seconds are never forgotten in a lifetime.” – Ike Rieghard

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
“When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.” – Proverbs 11:10