Finish the sentence: ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say...’ ‘Don’t say anything at all’? Hmmmmmm, yeah, we’re not convinced. Because actually, sometimes the truth doesn’t fully fit our definitions of nice, or comfortable. Sometimes, silence is the worst option, even when the alternative gets stuck in your throat.
But when you find yourself being treated badly, and take the initiative to confront that person about how they’re treating you, you can turn awkwardness or nastiness into friendship. Of course, Jesus has some pretty solid advice on just how you approach them (look up Matthew 18:15-17… and our reading on December 2). What we’re saying today is that the sort of silence that you can use to get at someone, especially to score points against them, is flat-out not okay. Either you’re just continuing the ‘treat each other badly’ standoff with that silent-treatment, or, they won’t even notice, and will carry on exactly the same. Either way: fail.
Silence can also be really painful when rumours are flying about someone, or they’re criticised, and you don’t step up to defend them. Being nervous of coming under the spotlight yourself isn’t a good excuse for letting someone else’s character take a beating, whether it’s deserved or not. Whether you’re the sort of person who’s comfortable speaking out, or less-so, when ‘there is … a time to speak’ (v. 7), staying schtum can mean missing the right thing to do. But, speaking godly truth, as lovingly as we can, in each situation, can change things up massively.

What Now?
Ask God to point it out to you, then skim your messages and your newsfeed: is there something, or someone, who needs you to speak up for them?