Speak Up or Shut Up

“But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.”
2 Kings 1:3-4 (NIV)

One day you'll give an account for your life, and the person judging won't be your boss, your neighbor or anyone on social media.

Actress Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond heads up an organization in Hollywood called "Feminists for Life." There's not a more unpopular stand you can take in Hollywood than being pro-life. When asked why she'd risk her career, she said, "As a Christian, it will not be Barbra Streisand I'm standing in front of when I have to make an accounting of my life."

That kind of courage isn't new, but it’s just as necessary today.

Three thousand years ago, Elijah lived with a bullseye on his back. He’s the most famous and most unpopular person in Israel. When God tells him to confront King Ahaziah with a death sentence, Elijah doesn't hesitate. God's message to the king was this: "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub? You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!" So Elijah went and delivered it.” (2 Kings 1:3-4).

To tell a king he's going to die meant that you're going to die first. That's why people sit down and shut up when they ought to stand up and speak up.

Many times when you live the God life, you go it alone when you're willing to call wrong "wrong" and sin "sin."

You can do this in your daily faith walk. When your college-age child comes home repeating moral relativism from philosophy class—"There's no absolute truth, it's all just perspective"—don't avoid the conversation to keep peace. Look them in the eyes and say, "I love you too much to let that lie go unchallenged. Let's talk about why that worldview eventually collapses."

One voice speaking truth can break the silence that holds others’ hearts captive. 

Edmund Burke said it best: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Prayer: Father, thank You for the courage You give me to stand up and speak up. Forgive me for the times I've chosen to please people than to please You. Help me remember that one day I'll stand before You, not before the crowd. Let that truth give me boldness today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.