Silence is Golden, and Gold is Tempting

There was once a president of a university who said to his pupils, “I invite you to take a little card and put it on your mirror or display it in some prominent place where it can serve as a daily reminder. I suggest that you inscribe on that card the phrase, “Truth is outraged by silence.”

When I first heard this quote two thoughts came into my mind. The first was, Can silence actually be a sinful temptation, and the second was, Have I ever been responsible for enraging truth with my silence?

When we think of temptations silence is not usually the first one that comes to mind. We think of characteristics like lust, selfishness, hatred, jealousy, but we do not usually add silence to the list. Silence seems like something that is passive, and at times even praise-worthy. After all, the wisest man whoever lived said, “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” So why should silence be considered a temptation, or something negative that the devil uses to battle the forces of light in this world?

Sir Frances Bacon, the 16th century statesman and philosopher once said, “Silence is the virtue of fools.” Bacon, though perhaps not the best example of Christian character, may have been onto something when he said this. Silence is often seen as a positive trait because it shows discernment and wisdom, but as Bacon alludes to, it can also be used as an alternative to sharing the truth about something. Silence in the midst of wrongdoing is only an affirmation of what is taking place. Should someone choose to remain silent while another person is perpetrating evil, are they as much of an accomplice as one who participates in the actual sin itself? One of the most obvious biblical examples of this type of scenario is the story of Pilate the governor. When the crowds called for Barabbas - the guilty man - to be released instead of Jesus, Pilate responded by washing his hands in front of the crowd and saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood...It is your responsibility!” How many times in our life have we been a part of a situation, where we did not agree with the verdict, but in an attempt to protect ourselves from scrutiny and even attack, we go along with it? This is exactly what Pilate did. The last thing he wanted to worry about was having a revolt on his hands by the Jewish people in his region, and he was determined to do whatever it took to keep this from happening, even if it meant going against what his conscience was telling him. So in short, yes, silence or acquiescence, can be a sinful temptation in the right, or should I say wrong, circumstance.

My second question, have I ever been responsible for enraging the truth with my silence is much easier to respond to, painful, but easy. I recall vividly a time in high school when one of my classmates stood up for his Christian beliefs, in the midst of a hostile environment, and I did nothing to support him as he was accused of being religious and a prude. But the fact is, I did not want the people in my class turning on me and saying the same types of things. What is obvious is that in my reluctance to stand up for the truth I was giving into the same temptation that Pilate fell for - the temptation to choose convenience over responsibility, and all at the expense of truth.

Jesus said, “ I am the way and the truth and the life.” Anything done at the expense of truth is done at the expense of Christ’s likeness. Jesus not only stands for truth, but He is truth, and his proclamation was not meant to be esoteric or hyperbole, it was meant to share with the world the nature of its savior. Whenever we are tempted to use silence in a situation that calls for the truth, we should recognize our obligation not only to the truth, but to our Lord who is truth. We represent him.