When to Stay Silent

Years ago, we went snorkeling in Hawaii with one of the local guys who knew the water really well. We were cruising along when we came to a net, and inside the net was a shark. The shark wasn’t moving, so we all got really close to get a better look at it. Then our guide proceeded to pull out his knife and start cutting the net to let the shark out. All of a sudden, the shark came back to life. If people could have walked on water-better yet, run on water-we would have done it right there. The animal was turning on the very one who was saving him.

That is how some people are. You try to help them, and they turn on you. It the whole idea Jesus was speaking of when He said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matthew 7:6).

Sometimes people don’t want to hear what we have to say. If you are talking with someone about your faith, and they say, “You know what? Actually I really don’t want to hear about Jesus Christ. Just go away,” the natural inclination is to press on. But if someone doesn’t appreciate the holy truths of God, then don’t waste your breath. Go find someone who actually wants to hear it.

The Bible says that when Jesus was brought before King Herod, He did not say a word. Why? Because King Herod didn’t want to hear the truth, and Jesus knew that.

There are some people who simply don’t want to hear it. However, there are other people who do. So we need to pray for discernment to know one from the other.