So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves” (Matt. 27:24).
Pilate thought he would be exonerated of the blame he tried to excuse himself from by washing his hands in front of the people, but history records and the scriptures reveal that he was not blameless in Jesus’ death. Even though he testified to Jesus’ innocence, he still went ahead to give the command for Jesus to be executed due to fear of popular opinion (John 19:16).
Speaking against injustice isn’t optional. As we see in the Scripture above, Pilate did not want to crucify the innocent man–Jesus. Yet, due to fear of the people, he compromised on what he believed was right.
A destructive evil has permeated our churches and our society today. It is a selective silence, a refusal to address controversial subjects for fear of offending someone, or fear of reprisal or social backlash because it contradicts and opposes popular opinion.
Many of our Christian churches refuse to address topics such as homosexuality, gender identity, cohabitation, and other currently disputed topics for fear of dividing the congregation. There are Biblical positions for all of these issues, but we refrain from talking about them. They are painful, awkward subjects that can cause trouble and, like Pilate in Matthew 27:24, pastors don’t want to start a riot among the membership. They remain silent with the hope that the topics will somehow go away. But they don’t.
Ephesians 5:11 (REV)
And do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them,
By refusing to address these societal issues with the truth of the Word of God, the Church has effectively abandoned the authority of Scripture. Instead, many of our churches are adopting the culture’s values because there is nothing offered to counter it. This is especially true of our youth. Exposed daily to the outcries of purported social injustices, they have no weapons to fight the deceptive logic that supports these allegations. Church leaders have stripped them of their armor and have left them vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy. This is a grievous sin, and Church leaders who have chosen to remain silent on such subjects will bear the responsibility.
James 4:17 (REV)
Therefore, whoever knows to do good but does not do it, it is sin.
We have been ‘trained’ in social discourse to never discuss matters of religion and politics. Yet these subjects affect our lives more than most. To believe that we should not speak or discuss matters concerning either topic is ludicrous and effectively censors necessary debate on crucial issues of the day. It is a focused attack by Satan to silence the Church. Selective silence has made cowards of us all at one time or another.
“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.” – Mahatma Gandhi
American writer and novelist William Faulkner said, “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.”
You may be the only one fighting against injustice. Still, you must not budge. Whether you’re afraid of what the crowd might say, or you’re afraid of losing your friends, or you’re the only one standing against a million people, or you’re being pressured on every side – as a child of God you must stand against evil and injustice. Neutrality is connivance with evil. There is no middle ground.
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” — Thurgood Marshall
We must learn to speak up against wrong instead of conniving with evil. Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. Irish statesman and philosopher Edmunde Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
As God’s children, we must heed Paul’s words spoken to Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:2 (REV)
Preach the word; be ready at convenient times and at inconvenient times; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
Proclaim the Word, convenient or inconvenient; opportunity or no opportunity; right time or not the right time, because there is a time coming when no one will listen. Speak the truth in the face of lies. Act in love when presented with hate. Expose the works of darkness with the light of truth, wielding the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Go, stand and speak!
