Inexcusable silence

In 1 Kings 18 there is epic showdown between the forces of good and evil. It was an ancient confrontation between the One True and Living God and the imaginary idols of men. The rebellious northern nation of Israel had not only drifted from God by setting up two golden calves as idols, they had also adopted the worship of the Phoenician God, Baal, as the state religion. 

Under the reign of the godless King Ahab and his even more wicked wife Jezebel, the nation was in complete spiritual decline. Standing on Mount Carmel, God’s prophet, Elijah, boldly calls upon Israel to make a public clarification as to who is their God. There, outnumbered and alone, Elijah forces Israel to decide; either they must align themselves with the God of their fathers, or an idol crafted by the fallen minds of men. 

Note this key passage: And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you be limping between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word (1 Kings 18:21). 

Over the last few weeks, I have found myself captivated (and convicted) by the last statement in this verse; “the people answered him NOT A WORD.” Think on this: the chosen nation of God, Israel – the covenant people called by God’s own Name, refused to vocalize their faith and fidelity to the One True and Living God!? Rather than affirming their allegiance to Yahweh God … they stood silent?! 

They refused to take a side. They silently rejected the God who had delivered them from Egypt with a mighty hand and brought them into the land of Canaan! Their silence was deafening. Their silence spoke volumes. Their silence shouted fear and apathy. 

Perhaps the people were afraid to align themselves with Elijah against Ahab? Maybe they were intimidated by the brutal savagery of Jezebel? Or possibly, they had become so distant from sound Biblical teaching, they couldn’t rightly determine who their divine loyalty should belong to? Whatever the cause, their silence was inexcusable.

And confessing Christian, so is ours! 

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said: “Silence in the face of evil, is evil itself. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Bonhoeffer wrote these powerful words prior to being martyred for his faith. He was shocked by the silenced indifference of the masses as the genocidal Nazi Regime spread darkness across Europe. And yet, inexplicably, many people groups stood silent as millions were massacred. 

Fast forward to our own nation; American Evangelicals are indefensibly silent as mass atrocity as carried out on a daily basis. Lewdness permeates our public streets and our libraries. Devilish deviance has been normalized and legalized. Truth and fact have become as fluid as gender. Debauchery dances in the streets, and all the while, GOD’S PEOPLE ANSWERED NOT A WORD. We have sat safe and silent in the four walls of our church buildings as immorality has swept across our nation. I suppose we expect someone to do something … just not us! Sadly, we are no different than ancient Israel in this regard – and we are without excuse. 

Confessing Christian, your silence is deafening … our silence speaks volumes … my silence shouts fear and apathy. And it is inexcusable. I quote again; “Silence in the face of evil, is evil itself. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” In Matthew 12:30 Jesus said, “he who is not with me is against me.” So which are you? Which am I? With God or against Him? Neutrality is a myth. There is no “spiritual Switzerland” to which we can retreat. There is no safe middle ground … you either side with right or with wrong.  

I wonder … what idols have we modern American Evangelicals created that has captured our devotion and adoration to the point we refuse to be identified with righteousness, truth and holiness? What are Christians so afraid of? What will it take to wake us up? How many men like Charlie Kirk have to be killed before we will get off our pew and get involved?  

May it please the Lord to stir the slumbering hearts of His people and raise up a generation of Elijahs. Who are willing to stand and be numbered among the followers of the God of the Bible – NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS! 

American Evangelicals, let me ask what the prophet of old asked: how long will you falter between two opinions? If Yahweh is God serve Him. If ease, luxury, and the American dream is your idol – serve it. You can’t do both. No man can serve two masters. 

But make no mistake – righteous fiery judgment fell on Mount Carmel and it will fall on us, if we do not turn from our national sins and repent. Friend, turn to Christ in repentant faith, and then go live out the truth that there is Only One True and Living God and He alone is worthy of our adoration and devotion. To do otherwise is inexcusable.