The Right to Remain Silent

Thursday Thankful Moments
A Devotional Series
Week 2

A police officer handcuffs the accused, Todd (name chosen randomly), and tells him his rights.

“You have the right to remain silent,” the officer says.

Todd is brought to prison and interrogated by a police officer or two. He starts saying things that are incriminating him and his lawyer enters the room.

“My client will not be saying anything else, I am his representation. Todd stop talking. Todd stop talking . . . Todd, stop.” The lawyer looks pointedly at the police officers, who are now getting to their feet and leaving lawyer and client to talk about lawyer-client privilege things.

That brings us to this scripture:

Everybody has an opinion about something or other, not just in 2020, but anytime, anyplace. But opinions and facts are getting mixed up together, and emotions are soaring. People are afraid, frustrated and uncertain about what might happen next.

It’s a good time to practice our right to remain silent. To keep scrolling past those social media posts that want to steal your peace.

It’s a good time to turn your focus to what is good. What is pure. What is right.

We can let these times steal our peace, or we can look to God and His Word—the Word that has stood the test of time. We can choose to focus on the Answer rather than the problem.

As believers, we can be thankful that we have the right to remain silent.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:9 KJV

We might live in ‘uncertain times’ (did anyone shudder at the use of that phrase? Sorry, me too), but we do not have to let these times steal our peace.

Jesus promises us peace, but it’s up to us to receive it and to keep it. To guard it and not let the worries of the world get a hold of hearts and engage us in useless arguments. Look at Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.

John 14:27 NET

Knowing when to speak up and when to keep silent comes down to wisdom. And God’s Word has great news for us on that front. Because it’s ours for the asking. If you are follower of Christ then you simply need to ask Him.

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5 NET

As I write this Thankful series I am discovering God’s promises. God promises us peace, promises us wisdom, if we just ask, if we just grab hold and receive these gifts and walk in them. But we can’t walk in peace or wisdom unless we guard our hearts and our mouths.

So, friend, I encourage you to invoke your right to remain silent when the situation arises. It feels so good when you do.