See Something, Say Nothing
By Martijn van Tilborgh
Just because you see something does not mean you need to say something.
That lesson took me years to learn.
In fact, saying something every time you see something often does more harm than good.
There are moments when silence is irresponsible.
If you see suspicious behavior at an airport, say something.
You might prevent another 9/11.
If you sense a human trafficking situation, open your mouth.
Lives may depend on it.
Those are clear cases.
Silence is not wisdom there.
It is negligence.
But most of life is not lived in extremes.
Most of what we see, hear, or know requires discernment, not disclosure.
There are things Paul described as "unlawful to utter."
Not because they were false, but because they were premature.
Sometimes you see something someone else is not ready to see yet.
Sometimes you know something that requires maturity to handle.
Sometimes you hear something that is not yours to pass along.
Truth without wisdom can wound.
So before you say something, ask yourself three questions.
- Does it need to be said?
- Does it need to be said now?
- Am I the one who needs to say it?
If the answer is yes to all three, speak up.
But if even one of those answers is unclear, silence might be the most loving option.
Not everything revealed to you is meant to be repeated.
Sometimes the wisest thing you can do is see clearly and say nothing.
I hope this helps someone today.
