Are We Talking but Saying Nothing?
Have we ever taken risks?
Have we ever run the risk of being “found out,” for others knowing exactly how we think, exactly how we feel, exactly how we believe?
Have we ever thought about what the world would be like if the gospel went silent?
Have we ever considered how the world would be—if the dead in Christ were the only ones speaking?
Have we ever been tempted to remain silent for Christ, and did just that—Remained Silent?
Today, I wonder if we (the modern-day Christians living in freedom) rest and rely too much upon our “safety” within our own minds. Now, hang there, in that thought, for a moment.
Safety within our own minds.
Unsheltered.
Vulnerable.
Unsuspecting.
Unprotected.
Confident in self.
Unconcerned.
Unhiding but hiding still—out in the open.
There but remaining silent, so “un-there” just the same.
There but remaining quiet, uncaring, so “absent” just the same.
There but remaining closed-mouthed about the truth, so “hiding” in plain sight just the same.
C. S. Lewis once wrote these words about our Savior Jesus.
“Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means.”
Jesus knows our fear. It’s real, right there in our chest, and Jesus felt it too.
Jesus knows our temptation to listen to Satan’s lies. It’s real, right there in our mind, and Jesus too heard Satan’s lies.
Jesus knows our every thought, feeling, turmoil, and frustration. Yes, these things are all real, right here within us, and Jesus knew each one too.
Thus, Jesus knows because He Knew; yet Jesus never yielded.
See in our minds this image.
Jesus has just been baptized by John.
Now Jesus is led into the wilderness where he is alone, hungry.
The devil is there, out in the wilderness, waiting, and Satan knows who Jesus is—that Jesus is the Son of God.
Nevertheless, Satan approaches Jesus and speaks.
“And the devil said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’”
(Luke 4: 3)
Jesus responds as only Jesus Christ does. He quotes the Scripture. “And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’”
(Luke 4:4)
Do we go through life, trusting in our own power to meet our needs?
Do we listen to the world, to our head-talk, or do we listen to the Word of God?
Satan is unrelenting; again, he speaks to Jesus, there in the wilderness, when Jesus is physically and emotionally, and mentally tired. Satan knows this is the best time to attack.
“And the devil said to Him, ‘I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.’”
(Luke 4: 6-7)
Jesus responds as only Jesus Christ does. He quotes the Scripture. “Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
(Luke 4:8)
Do we ever think God can be defeated by Satan?
Do we ever rely more upon what this world offers than what the Word of God reveals, what is promised as our help, our protection, our truth?
Satan goes full steam, on the attack, knowing that he is defeated, but also hoping that just maybe he will win this spiritual battle. It is then, Satan leads Jesus to the Holy City of Jerusalem, the very place where Jesus will go to give up His life for all humanity, where Jesus will die, be buried, and where Jesus will resurrect to new life three days later.
Satan leads Jesus there, and Jesus allows Satan to lead Him—there.
“And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written
HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,
and
ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”
(Luke 4: 9-11)
Satan went on the full-attack.
Satan’s lies walk by sight, not by faith.
God’s Word fully reveals what we need.
We need the Bible; We need God’s Word; We need the Scriptures deep within our hearts.
We must apply the Word of God—daily.
Jesus responds as only Jesus Christ does. He quotes the Scripture. “And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘It is said, YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”
(Luke 4:12)
Have we ever taken risks?—a REAL Risk—one that requires more courage than what we have in our own power?
Have we ever run the risk of being “found out,” for others knowing exactly how we think, exactly how we feel, exactly how we believe?
Are we willing to ask ourselves this season of Lent, as we prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday—What is dead in Me?
Have we ever thought about what the world would be like if the gospel went silent?
Have we ever considered how the world would be—if the dead in Christ were the only ones speaking?
Have we ever been tempted to remain silent for Christ, and did just that—Remained Silent?
Maybe today—We are talking but we are saying nothing.
Maybe today—It’s time for us to speak up, to speak the truth, to quote the Scriptures.
Remember what Lewis said about our temptations–“Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means.”
The Bible says: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:15-16)