Courage To Speak
- Immersion
- Jul 27, 2020
- 3 min read
Written By: Gregory Gilmore, Jr.
Edited By: Melissa Gilmore
The topic of having the courage to speak, I could be considered quite the enigma. I totally subscribe to the notion of-- a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
The very meaning of my name is “watchful one.” So I will observe different things, and may communicate those things as I am led to by the Holy Spirit. Knowing the Word of God, I also have to subscribe to the notion of being slow to speak. With scriptures like James 1:19, which says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
If a closed mouth doesn’t get fed, then we should focus on communicating more effectively. It is a fine balance to maintain when communicating. Maybe, I shouldn't be so quick to eat everything and I should exercise more caution about what I speak. So, when I walk into an
unfamiliar place, I usually do one of three things. I will either stay quiet and watch, keep all conversations very surface, Or make jokes filling the atmosphere with laughter even if my jokes are not all that funny. The sentiment still relaxes the atmosphere. I understand that most people always have an agenda. I'm not so arrogant to suggest that we all don't sometimes get bit by the agenda bug. However, those of us that surely have the Holy Spirit, should be able to keep that spirit at bay. It is the Holy Spirit and the scriptures mentioned at the beginning of this article that keeps me from utilizing the courage to speak things that are not beneficial to the Kingdom of God.
If this was a perfect world or I was under the impression that I was a perfect person, I would say only God give me my courage to speak. I can say that when I am tasked on God's behalf by the Holy Spirit to speak, I am most confident that I have decreased my flesh and personal opinions so that he may increase in me and utilize my words. However, no matter the intentions, the content or delivery of what I have to say may be influenced by my flesh. When I say my flesh, I am not talking about evil or sinful thoughts, but rather, how I was raised or nurtured, or simply my experiences. Be it a flaw or gift, I am more likely to speak my mind at some point, whatever the topic is. I think people who speak their minds often get
penalized for being forthright by those who they are communicating with.
My likelihood to speak my mind sometimes comes from me being willing to listen and try to understand what you are saying. We all walk around saying keep it real, keep it real. I, myself use the term: Keep it real, with the understanding that “keep it real” may not be a two-way street but it should be. I know that I am built for whatever you need to keep it real about. Whatever I say to you, I understand that you have your own unique point of view and I am prepared to listen to your thoughts and reactions.
I must be honest, I myself do not believe in political correctness. I do, however, believe in trying your best to be respectful in your delivery of honesty. When I am honest with someone, I am aware of the fact that my honesty can be coming from a flawed point of view. It is not the honesty that is flawed but the thought process that informs the point of view that
shapes the honesty. That is why “your truth” can be way different from “gospel truth.” So, when I enter an honest conversation with someone, I am looking for them to give their honest yet {potentially} flawed point of view. The meeting of these two minds or of true believers that are truly seeking God's heart can help each other potentially get closer to God or at the very least gain a greater understanding of the said topic. Because of all of our flaws, it is so important for us to reach complete immersion in Christ.
The Bible says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”-- James 4:3.
The Word of God does promote the courage to speak, just do it with wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
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