If you’re like most people, the thought of speaking in public is downright terrifying. We’ve all been there: the stage, the people, the script, and more. And then, it’s time. You step up to the mic, the podium, the lectern, the conference table, etc., and you begin to share. Hopefully, the nerves finally settle, and you make it through your speech or speaking segment.
However, there are times when speaking comes naturally. It’s conversations with a close friend over coffee, catching up with a spouse after a long day, visiting with a parent about life and decisions, and many more circumstances. In those moments, speaking is almost effortless. A lot is happening, the least of which is worrying about talking. Usually, the biggest challenge is trying to listen long enough to ensure what you say relates to the needs of the person or people and moment.
Still, there are times when speaking is not concerned with comfort but is indeed a responsibility. Undoubtedly, there are situations and circumstances in which speaking and using our voices become an obligation.
What I don’t mean…
In the mid-1960s, a tragic murder occurred in Queens, New York. Shortly after this horrible incident, the New York Times published an article claiming that there were 38 witnesses to the brutal events that took place that night but did nothing. Later, the article was deemed erroneous, but it raised awareness of what became later known as the “bystander effect.” In short, this theory argues that people are less likely to help others when others are around. The bottom line is that the bystander effect tries to understand why some people feel a moral responsibility to act, and others do not.
Isn’t this interesting? On the one hand, we see what they are trying to evaluate, and it’s certainly important to raise awareness that leads to positive action. However, this analysis concerns circumstantial responsiveness. In other words, when we hear someone screaming for help, something within us moves to help.
However, I’m not addressing our response to an emotional, knee-jerk, in-the-moment action to speak or to help someone in need. I’m talking about the motivation to stand up for someone or something pre-considered and biblical.
Thus, Christians look to the Bible to understand their biblical responsibility to act or speak on behalf of those who lack a voice or cannot speak for themselves.
How might this look in real life?
It was his Christian faith that prompted William Wilberforce to speak. In 1789, the same year the French began their revolution, Wilberforce introduced his “Bill for the Abolition of Slavery” in Parliament*. Here, Wilberforce, pressed by his Christian responsibility combined with this position of influence, gave voice to the voiceless and led the charge to abolish slavery in the United Kingdom. The task before him was seemingly impossible, but the outcome was not his concern. Instead, his concern was to give voice to the voiceless–in a word, justice.
What can we learn from Wilberforces’s effort?
Wilberforce’s actions were motivated by something outside himself, namely, the gospel.
What does the gospel offer those seeking to give voice to the voiceless?
The Israelites of old were indicted for their lack of acting on behalf of those who needed help. In Isaiah 1:17, God told Israel to seek justice and take the cause of the orphan and widow. Again, Jeremiah, in chapter 22:3, instructed Israel to defend the orphan and plead for the widow. Finally, God most piercingly declares against Israel in Amos 3 that Israel will receive punishment for their transgressions. Ultimately, Israel failed to bring justice to the land, fell into idolatry, and faced God’s judgment.
Someone greater, more powerful, wise, and able to enter the domain of the ones receiving His justice would need to come. Enter Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was the perfect Jew. He was from the tribe of Judah (right to rule), the house of David (right to a forever kingdom), the seed of woman (fulfilling God’s promise in Genesis 3:15), the priestly order of Melchizedek (ensuring a perpetual priesthood), and He fulfilled the Law of Moses (enacting the New Covenant).
So, what does Jesus Christ provide that enables us to speak for the speechless?
When Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice to God on the cross for our sins, He did so without a word of refusal. He was, in effect, silent. However, His silence was not all that silent.
What do I mean?
- Jesus’ death on the cross paid for the sins and gave voice to a new humanity called the Church (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 2-3).
- Jesus’ resurrection from the grave enabled the Spirit of God to come into God’s people, empowering them to speak boldly (Acts 1:8) and advance His gospel mission on earth.
- Jesus is ever speaking on our behalf (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:1-6, Jude 1:20-25, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 13:8, and Hebrews 7:24-25).
How does this apply to us today?
- God sent Christ to satisfy His wrath for our sins and reconcile us to Himself by grace through faith.
- The Holy Spirit was sent to regenerate our hearts, make us a new creation, and empower us to fulfill God’s gospel mission of bringing souls in the darkness of sin to the light of Christ’s love, mercy, and grace (the gospel).
- Therefore, part of our mission is (1) to speak into silent corridors, bringing light into darkness; (2) to give voice to the voiceless (Orphans and Widows: James 1:27); and (3) to use our positions of influence to advance God’s cause in a broken world.
How might this look in your life?
- Pray for God to burden your heart to speak for those who do not have voices.
- Pray for opportunities to give voice to the voiceless within your spheres of influence.
- Act in the Lord’s way according to the Lord’s Word on behalf of those without a voice.
- Rest in God’s ultimate provision for those without a voice…for God hears and sees them…for He is El Roi (Genesis 16:13).
“Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak,
for the legal rights of all the dying.
Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,
and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NET Bible)