Silence Is Also a Language
We often turn to words when we think about displaying a spiritual posture but sometimes silence is a much needed tool in our faith journeys to help sharpen our discernment in communication, and understanding of the spiritual realm.
In a sermon by Apostle Mike Signorelli the minister discusses the strategic importance, spiritual power and wisdom found in silence.
In scripture we are advised to discern when to speak and when to be silent. Silence can be a strategic weapon in spiritual warfare and can aid in avoiding self-sabotage. In silence one can display wisdom, trust in God, and gain the ability to listen to divine guidance.
The Language of Silence
In chapter 139 verses 23 and 24, the Psalmist tells God, “know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. In this plea he is asking God to search him and guide him, similarly, the church needs wisdom from God to know when to speak and when to be quiet. The Bible connects silence to wisdom, "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent and discerning if they hold their tongue” – Proverbs 17:28. Silence can prevent unnecessary exposure of foolishness.
Silence is a preservation of energy, particularly emotional energy. Think about how exhausting it is trying to explain things to someone who wishes to remain foolish. Ecclesiastes 3:7 teaches "There's a time to be silent and there's a time to speak." In any conversation the more you listen you can discern what is really in the heart of the one you are listening to. Silence can be a tool for discernment.
When praying, if we are the only ones talking it's impossible to listen to God. Many ministers who are prophetic spend time silent in prayer, allowing God to deposit divine wisdom.
Do Not Cast Your Pearls before Swine
In Matthew 7:6 Jesus instructs us to not throw our pearls to pigs. "Do not" is a command not a suggestion. Jesus was not talking about literal pigs but rather people that because of the way they acted Jesus felt that it was necessary to compare them to pigs and dogs. These are individuals who will trample what is sacred when you share it with them.
Apostle Mike said Jesus’ command supports the notion that Christians should discern who to engage with in conversation. Believers need to determine who to talk and not talk to in this next season. It is about the direction of your talk and whether you are casting the pearls of godly wisdom and guidance on people that will take it and grow or if it’ll fall on deaf ears. There’s a military idiom that says "loose lips, sink ships." The phrase illustrates how giving away precious information through unnecessary conversations can give the enemy an advantage. That can be applied to spiritual matters as well. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan and demons are just waiting for us to slip up and many times we seek comfort in conversations with the wrong people instead of seeking the Holy Spirit, who is the "Comforter."
Ephesians 6:12 clearly states that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Rulers have territories and enforce rulings just like earthly authorities. There are spiritual battles happening over neighborhoods, cities, regions, and nations, with different demonic rulers influencing the prevalence of certain sins.
Instead of using our words to fight against people who promote unbiblical practices and sin, let us impact the heavenlies through prayer and intercession.
In Luke 8:2 we learn of Mary Magdalene having seven demons cast out of her by Jesus.The late Derek Prince defined a demon as "a personality without a body." Someone possessed with multiple demons effectively has multiple personalities working in them. If Jesus would have chosen to speak with Mary before deliverance, He would have been talking to eight people. Instead He casted the demons out. Believers have to be very careful about interacting with demonized individuals. You can not reason with someone influenced by demons as the demons will twist, pervert and distort everything that is being said.
Casting out demons enforces the victory of Christ and followers of Christ are to cast out demons with the authority given to us by Jesus (Mark 16:17). Christians who operate in deliverance should not become obsessed with talking to demons. Rather just follow Jesus’ lead, He told the legions of demons tormenting a man "Be quiet and come out of him" Luke 4:35.
Silence Is a Weapon in Spiritual Warfare
Apostle Mike says Christians have "encrypted coded language" to preserve God's plans from demonic interference. That language is speaking in tongues. We do not need to utter everything in our hearts out loud or to others. "There are some things that need to remain between you and God," the V1 Church leader maintained.
Silence can be connected to trust in God as we see in Isaiah 30:15: "In Repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength." Silence is evidence of trust.
Some people allow for offenses to take them out of character. "A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense," Proverbs 19:11 states. We have to practice intentionally overlooking offenses. Overlooking an offense does not mean you don't see it, it means you choose not to focus on it. We overlook offenses to pursue unity which also prevents engagement with demonic tactics that aim to bring division amongst people. The Church is called to unity across racial, political, and secondary doctrinal divides. We are all fighting one common enemy, not each other.
Silence leads to a more strategic and spiritually aware approach to communication and conflict. Embracing silence and discerning who to engage with will help you recognize the true nature of spiritual warfare against demonic forces. This is crucial for believers to be effective in their faith journey. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you know when to speak and when to be silent.The phrase, “silence is golden” comes from the quote: “Speech is silver, but silence is golden” which means words are important and have their place but sometimes it is better to say nothing at all!
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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