The Bible is filled with compelling scriptures on the benefits of being silent.
While it is true that there are surely instances where it is best to speak up, at other times, silence is wise.
We Christians often speak of valuing our quiet-time with God.
We get to enter into His presence in reverence and stillness.
The stillness of quiet-time here breeds a perfect environment for us to hear what God is saying to us.
He tells us to Be still and know that He is God.
It is also in this precious silence that we often get really important downloads from the Holy Spirit.
He gets to tell us exactly what we need for our current situation because we are in a position to listen. Silence creates a distraction-free atmosphere for these important encounters.
The Power in Being Silent
Learning to master when to speak and when to stay silent is golden.
Great benefits come for both those who extend silence and those on the receiving end.
When we opt to listen more than we speak, we get to hear what is on a person’s heart.
Not only is this logical, it is quite biblical. Luke 6:45 tells us:
45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
This bit of wisdom can keep us from danger.
It can expose the ill-intent of a person.
On the other hand, we can learn that this person has only good intentions.
We can then spare ourselves undue anxiety.
Another benefit of being silent is you avoid looking like a fool.
Silence in this regard then is for your protection.
There is less of a chance of you putting your foot in your mouth if you train yourself not to constantly speak.
Mastering silence is also a great way for us to grow in humility.
We can agree that a person who is too busy talking about themselves all the time lacks this virtue.
When we are too self-focused and gab all the time about our problem, we cut others off.
We end up dismissing their viewpoint and limiting ourselves to our personal, limited lens.
We focus so much on our experiences and our input and risk missing awesome opportunities to learn.
We end up exalting ourselves and going against the instruction given by Paul in Philippians 2:3
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
God also works powerfully in our silence.
He grants us breakthroughs and open doors for us. He tells us to come to Him in secret, and He will reward us openly.
This leads to great testimonies as God can be trusted to honor this humble approach.
Note too that He has great respect for those who value and practice silence.
The Virgin Mary for example, earned God’s trust not only because of her pure heart, but also because she knew how to guard a secret.
We all could benefit from examining her ministry of silence.
Being silent shows maturity and obedience.
Jesus Himself exhorted us to limit our words. He says in Matthew 5:37:
37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil .
When we ignore this command to tame our tongues, we disobey Jesus’s command.
This immature behavior also exposes a lack of self-awareness.
It shows an inability to assess a situation and give out only the required information.
This can lead to distrust amongst our peers and can stifle our growth especially career-wise.
Silence is a gift of grace.
We essentially can miss out an opportunity here to extend grace to others when we opt not to be silent.
But, when we choose to give this gift, we allow others to feel valued.
We give them the gift of our time and that kind of attention can do wonders for them.
That grace-gift can also be quite a blessing for the giver as well.
It protects us from the sin of gossip and it helps us to walk in obedience.
See Ephesians 4:29:
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Being Silent allows us to Honor God
We get to bring honor to God in silence by letting our light shine.
As His ambassadors here on earth, others look to us to see the Light of Jesus.
We get to minister to them and show them the power silence brings.
We don’t need to be as reactive as the rest of the world.
We need not complain and jump into every controversy.
No, we shine brightly as Paul tells us in Philippians 2:14-15
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
33 Compelling Bible Verses on The Power of Silence
Again, mastering silence isn’t the easiest thing in the world.
Most of us, if we’re honest could surely use some help in that department.
Now that we’ve discussed benefits of being silent, here are 33 scriptures to help us grow this skill.
Proverbs 17:28
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Psalm 46:10
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Proverbs 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
1 Peter 3:4
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
Proverbs 21:23
23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
1 Timothy 2:2
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Exodus 14:14
14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
James 1:19
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Proverbs 21:23
23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Amos 5:13
13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ecclesiastes 3:7
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Psalm 4:4
4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Zephaniah 3:17
17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Isaiah 30:15
15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,“ In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
Job 6:24
24 “Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.
Lamentations 3:26
26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Luke 5:16
16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Mark 1:35
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Proverbs 10:19
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Ecclesiastes 9:17
17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
Proverbs 11:12
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Psalm 141:3
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
Proverbs 13:3
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Isaiah 7:4
4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.
Psalm 62:5
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
Job 34:29
29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?—
Proverbs 18:13
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Psalm 37:7
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Zephaniah 1:7
7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.
Jeremiah 47:6
6 Ah, sword of the Lord! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still!
Acts 19:36
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
Song Inspiration
Today’s song inspiration was so easy to come by.
There is an impressive selection of songs that could easily compliment this post but the Holy Spirit picked this one.
This duet by the adorable couple, Israel and Adrienne Houghton has such a soothing melody.
The lyrics too are absolutely perfect for quieting souls.
Enjoy
So Tell Me
Did you agree with any of our points on the power of being quiet?
Also, which scripture from our list spoke to you the most?
Remember there is power in our words. So state your faith!
Also, if you liked this post, you for sure will like one of our older ones on taming the tongue.
Check it out.
Til next time…
Stay Blessed