The Sin of Silence

“Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.” 

At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, no one was there, for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.

The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp, entered one of the tents and ate and drank. Then they took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also. Then they said to each other, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.”

2 Kings 7:3-9 (NIV)

Perhaps you know the story of a magician and devout atheist by the name of Penn Jillette. After one of his shows, a man came up to him and gave him a small Gideon’s Bible. The man’s warmth and authenticity was so impactful for him that despite his cynicism, Jillette publicly praised the man on Youtube for his kind act.

Jillette then asked a harrowing question to his audience: “How much do you have to hate someone–someone who needs eternal life or whatever–to not proselytize?” In other words, when you allow God’s love to flow through you, you can’t help but share it with others.

Today’s verse describes a moment when four men decided they couldn’t remain silent any longer. Their city was under siege by a powerful foreign army. All supplies had been cut off, people were desperate and starving to death. It looked like there was no way out and no way of escape.  

But they took a courageous step, and as they did, God fought on their behalf. They simply received gifts that He had provided. They could not keep the generosity of God to themselves, so they went to their city and shared the good news. 

As a Christian, you are no longer a self-centered person but you have become a gospel-centered person. Instead of keeping to yourself the greatest news the world has ever known, the Holy Spirit has equipped you to share with others. And when you lovingly share the gospel with someone, God works on their heart. 

It is because of four men that an entire city was saved, lives were spared, and the Lord was glorified. When it comes to sharing the gospel, God has given you power to overcome the sin of silence. 

Trust God and believe His Word. He will give you the courage and conviction to share the gospel with others.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for opening my heart to Your Word. I praise You for seeking me out and rescuing me. God help me join You in Your rescue mission, carrying Your heart of love for those who are yet to know You. Lord, help me course and power to overcome my silence. I praise You for it, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.