Many people are afraid to speak in front of even a small crowd. Nerves, butterflies in the stomach, vomiting, and an unwillingness keep many individuals away from speaking up. The irony is that amongst friends one can hardly get the same people to stop talking.
University
When I attended university years ago, the core curriculum mandated that a student take at minimum two courses on public speaking. As I sat in the back of one class I was amazed how some students were shaking, mumbling during their speeches, refusing to make eye contact with other students, and how several were totally unprepared.
Yes, I had a few butterflies in my stomach, but I also knew that the worst thing that could possibly happen was that I would forget an important part of my 5-minute speech. As it was, once I opened with a joke everything followed smoothly and I made a 99/100. I had overcome my initial fears.
History
Throughout history numerous people refused to speak up at the right time. Whether out of fear or prudence people remained silent. The consequences included people sealing their personal fate, or country's destiny was decided, and many were exonerated at trial. This shows us that there is a time to speak or remain silent.
During the Salem Witch trials, many people (mostly females) were convicted of being a witch. The testimony of witnesses came from jealous people concerning the person on trial or were cajoled into giving false testimony. Only one woman was put to death, however. Most refused to speak on their own behalf.
During World War II when Hitler rose to power and began his pogrom against the Jews, he enticed the German population to hate certain people: Jews especially, homosexuals and gypsies.
As history demonstrates, over six million people were murdered when the German people refused to speak up. And don't tell me this did not happen, as I have been to one of several Holocaust museums and have seen the evidence.
Testimony
In a court of law a witness swears to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. A multitude lie in spite of this vow. The truly guilty are sure to lie out of fear in order to save their own skin. But even innocent people have been convicted for crimes they did not commit and many have been put to death by false testimony.
Have you ever wondered why few people are ever prosecuted for breaking their vow to tell the truth?
Bible
There are stories in the Bible where people both spoke up and when people remained silent. In Acts chapter 7, Stephen rose to speak and gave a testimony about Jesus as the Messiah. It so enraged the Jews that they stoned him to death.
Paul was also jailed, beaten, and nearly stoned to death for speaking up and telling the unadulterated truth.
On the other hand, when Jesus was on trial before Pontus Pilate He remained silent. He was asked to speak but refused, as He knew His destiny -He obeyed the Father even unto death to pay for the all the sins of those whom God would call His own. Jesus, like Stephen and Paul, had no fear.
What about us?
Are we fearful to speak up? It's easy to remain silent and not be subjected to backlash. But I submit to you that many of us sit back and allow wickedness to speak and refuse to refute it.
Here is something to consider as we move forward in life: we must reject evil and speak the truth.
Jesus said: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).
Are you willing to speak up without fear for Jesus or will you remain silent and seal your fate?
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Never knew a Texas who couldn't talk a dog out of his hide 'cept when it comes to preachin' the Lord.