Silence Can Be Sin!

Leviticus 5:1
“‘If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.

New Living Translation
“If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.

Amplified Bible
‘If anyone sins after he hears a public adjuration (solemn command to testify) when he is a witness, whether he has seen or [otherwise] known [something]—if he fails to report it, then he will bear his guilt and be held responsible.

Contemporary English Version
If you refuse to testify in court about something you saw or know has happened, you have sinned and can be punished.

If there is a case going on, it requires evidence and witnesses. The case will determine who is guilty and who is innocent. The case will also ensure justice is done. If you know something about the case and you keep quiet, your silence may cause the innocent to be counted guilty, or the guilty to be acquitted. Your silence may bring a miscarriage of justice. That silence is a sin!

If you could say something in a committee that would prevent a wrong decision from being made and for whatever reason you keep quiet, you are counted guilty by divine standards. Your contribution would have ensured justice is done. Your silence contributed to wrongdoing. That silence is a sin!

If you could give advice to a person who is about to make a wrong decision, but you choose to be silent, you have contributed to the wrong decision. Whatever reason you had for silence where you should have spoken does not exonerate you from guilt. That silence is a sin!

Ezekiel 33:7-9
(7) “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. (8) When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die, ’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. (9) But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

If you must preach a sermon to address an ill in the congregation and out of fear or misguided wisdom you choose silence, you are guilty of the same sin. Everyone may think of you as wise. Those who preach may suffer backlash but they are better off before God than you who are wise before men and are silent. Your silence is a sin!

John the Baptist preached against Herod’s scandalous marriage, Matthew 14:3-5. Herod married his brother’s wife. Pharisees were quiet about that wrong marriage. Sadduccees were quiet about the marriage of Herod. The Priests including the chief priest said nothing about that marriage scandal. John the baptist spoke against that marriage and he ultimately was killed, yet before God, he was better than the silent leaders who didn’t get killed. Those who were not killed and continued enjoying life must have believed that they are very wise. Those who were not killed because they were silent must have been giving advice to others that silence is the best path. Before God, that silence is counted as a sin against them!

All those clever silent people who never say anything should take note that it is not all the time that silence is golden. The silence when you should speak up is a sin. Silence, when your speaking could change matters, is a sin. Silence can be a sin!

Our text today from Leviticus chapter five tells us that you are responsible for being silent where you should have spoken up. If you saw something, heard something, or know something and that information will help in the delivery of justice, silence would be a sin and God will hold you responsible. Silence can be a sin!

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Silence is golden. When we talk too much we expose our ignorance. Everyone believes you are wise until you open your mouth and confirm that you are not wise. It is good advice that we think twice before speaking. Careless speaking is sinful, Matthew 12:36-37. However, the silence that is sinful is the silence that causes harm to others and to organizations. If your speaking will make a difference, silence is a sin. Someone has rightly said that make sure your speech is better than your silence before speaking, otherwise remain silent.

May God grant us wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent. May God give us the courage to speak what we must even if it costs our life, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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