There’s something incredibly powerful about remaining unmoved and unbothered during tough times. As you grow spiritually, you begin to recognize the strength in stillness and silence. The power of silence and stillness lies in the understanding that, even when it seems like you’re doing nothing to fight back, forces are working on your behalf in the spiritual realm. It’s also about knowing when not to overshare. I’ll show you how powerful this can be, so you understand that not everything requires a response or a fight for you to rise above.
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How the Enemy Uses Retaliation to Divide and Destroy
I grew up in the ghetto in Central Florida, and as a young kid in the early 2000s, we didn’t have social media or the internet like today. Back then, we’d spend time on the corner of our block, playing with the neighbors. As kids, we’d get into disagreements and little beefs. The enemy was always at work, planting crazy ideas in our young minds.
Demons taught us that if someone disrespected or put us down, we had to respond. Not responding made you ‘scary’—afraid—and no one wanted to be seen that way.
This became a common theme. The devil would test you, poke at you, and convince you that staying silent made you weak. If you didn’t retaliate, people made you the problem and painted you as a joke. Little did we know that the devil was training us to turn against each other, to start wars that would destroy our communities.
How many times have we heard of retaliation that started from a simple disagreement, ending with someone losing their life? When things like this happen, the kingdom of hell throws a party. That’s the enemy’s plan—to kill, steal, and destroy—and he uses division and retaliation to achieve it.
Victory Through Stillness: Trusting God in Times of Battle
I want to share a story from the Bible that gave me goosebumps when I first came across it. Whenever I find myself being tested, I picture my enemy facing the same fate. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat of Judah was faced with a powerful enemy alliance. Fearing for his kingdom, he sought God’s guidance and prayed, leading the people to fast. God responded through a prophet, telling Jehoshaphat that the battle was not his, but God’s.
In obedience, Jehoshaphat sent his choir ahead of his army to praise God. As they sang, the enemy forces, who had united to fight Judah, turned on each other and destroyed themselves.By the time Jehoshaphat’s army arrived, they found only the spoils of war.
See, that’s the secret formula: when faced with a test, our focus should be on prayer, fasting, and praise—not retaliation or throwing jabs. Our Father has already said, ‘Be still and know that I am your God. He wants to fight for you!
Silence is Wisdom: Lessons from Joseph and Jesus
You know, a lot of the intense battles we face wouldn’t be so hard if we just kept quiet sometimes. There are two examples in the Bible that show this.
First, Joseph the Dreamer. Joseph told his brothers about his dreams of being great, and they became jealous of him. Because of their jealousy, they sold him into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:5-28). If Joseph had kept those dreams to himself, would he have avoided that pain? Of course, God’s promise still came true, but it makes you wonder how different his journey could have been.
Second, Jesus and His Miracles. After healing people, Jesus often told them not to tell anyone. For example, after healing a leper, He said, “Don’t tell anyone about this” (Mark 1:44). But people didn’t listen, and news spread. The Pharisees grew jealous of Him and His influence, which led them to plot His crucifixion. While their actions couldn’t stop His mission, they made things much harder.
It makes me think: how much easier would life be if we were more careful about what we share?
Staying Silent and Trusting God
Have you ever dealt with someone close to you who threw shade at you out of the blue? I had a situation like this with a so-called family member. During a gathering at my home, we touched on a sensitive topic. I shared my personal experience, and at first, she seemed understanding and sympathetic, so I felt comfortable opening up to her even more.
The following day, we met up again for a play-date, and we were among other family and friends. This same person, whom I’ll call Erica, indirectly brought up the situation in a covert way to poke fun at me. It was so subtle that it didn’t seem like an attack to others, but I knew exactly what was going on. I didn’t say anything because I figured if she couldn’t address me directly, that was on her.
Months later, I saw Erica at a mutual friend’s gathering, and I witnessed judgment being passed on her right in front of me. Front-row center, I saw her dealing with the same concern I had confided in her about, something I had been insecure about. I was baffled but kept my mouth shut.
Some may call it karma, but I call it God fighting my battles. “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19). The devil wants us to react and lose our composure with people who try to get under our skin. When we give in to those tests, we risk judgment falling on us rather than the person who caused the problem.
If you want victory in situations where you’re being tested, give it to God. He will have your back every time.
Guarding Your Peace: Recognizing and Avoiding Division
Not to mention, there are people out here who, no matter how accommodating, loving, and kind you are to them, will still cause problems. It has nothing to do with you personally, but everything to do with them. They get a rise out of hitting people’s nerves and provoking a reaction. Their souls are dead, and the only way they feel alive is by supplying this chaos—the Jezebelic spirit.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says, ‘There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him…a person who stirs up conflict in the community.’ And Romans 16:17 urges, ‘I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.’ By not exercising self-control and choosing to stay still and silent, you are giving them exactly what they want—fuel for their supply.
When Should We Be Silent?
Sometimes we must speak up, especially to rebuke or stand firm in our faith. Yet, there are moments when silence is necessary to protect our peace and purpose. Discernment is key. Here are times when you need silence:
- When Good Things Are Happening in Your Life: Sometimes, it’s wise to remain silent about your blessings, as the enemy delights in trying to destroy God’s work in your life. Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
- When the Devil Is Testing You: Silence can be a shield when the enemy is attacking your thoughts and spirit. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) reminds us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
- When You’re in Trouble: Silence helps us stay grounded and seek God’s wisdom first. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Before acting or speaking, turn to God for guidance.
- When You’re Working on Something That Has Not Yet Come to Fruition: Like Zechariah, who was made silent by the angel in Luke 1:20, silence can protect your vision while God is working behind the scenes. Zechariah’s silence allowed God’s plan to unfold without hindrance, and it reminded him to trust God’s timing and process.
- When Someone Asks You Questions About Another Person’s Life, Avoid Gossip: When asked about someone else, it’s important to avoid speaking negatively or spreading rumors. As Proverbs 20:19 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
The Power of Silence and Stillness: Tips to Stay Grounded
- Learn to embrace silence. If you’re uncomfortable with silence, you might feel the urge to fill the space with unnecessary words, often leading to oversharing. As Proverbs 10:19 reminds us: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
- When overwhelmed by emotions—anger, frustration, excitement, etc.—we often feel the need to vent. But these are the moments we need silence the most. Talk to God first, allow the emotion to pass, and think before reacting. James 1:19 reminds us, ‘Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.’
- Learn to identify your triggers—what gets you riled up—and monitor your reactions. Understanding why you react the way you do is key. For example, if you tend to lash out when you’re frustrated or overwhelmed by too many people, recognize this pattern. In those moments, seek solitude and spend time with God to regain peace before reacting.
- Stay Away from People Who Bring Out the Worst in You: Surround yourself with people who show the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Being around angry, uncontrolled people can corrupt you. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- Having a Relationship with God: A relationship with God purifies you and gives you His knowledge and understanding. As you grow in Him, you become more alert to His guidance and why He directs you in certain ways. Understanding this helps you overcome many obstacles before they even arise.
I hope this post, ‘The Power of Silence and Stillness was helpful to you. If you’d like to continue this journey with me, please subscribe and sign up for my newsletter. Your support means the world to me!