The Spiritual Gift of Silence and Solitude
Summary
In today's reflection, we explore the profound discipline of silence, a practice that may initially seem daunting but holds immense spiritual value. Silence, as described by Dallas Willard, involves closing off our souls from all sounds, whether noise, music, or words. In our modern world, true silence is rare, and many have never experienced it. Our lives are filled with constant noise from various devices, which oddly comforts us. However, silence can be unsettling because it feels like nothing is happening, which is contrary to our fast-paced lives. Yet, silence is a gift that allows us to connect deeply with God and ourselves.
Silence is not just about the absence of external noise but also involves the discipline of not speaking. James, the brother of Jesus, warns us about the dangers of an unbridled tongue. Practicing silence in speech helps us gain control over our words, providing us with the inner distance needed to consider our words carefully. This discipline allows us to resign how we appear to others to God, building trust and letting go of the need for approval from others.
The practice of silence often goes hand in hand with solitude. While it may seem challenging to find silence in the presence of others, there are ways to incorporate it into our daily lives. Rising in the middle of the night or finding moments of silence during the day can aid in prayer and study. Sharing this discipline with loved ones can also be beneficial.
Today, consider moments of brief silence, whether in the car, at home, or in nature. Invite God into these moments and embrace the anxiety that may arise. Practice the discipline of not speaking, especially in situations where you feel the urge to self-promote or seek approval. Through silence, we can find a quiet inner confidence, a grace that allows us to help others who seek reassurance and approval. Remember Jesus, who remained silent during his trial, demonstrating the power of practiced silence.
Key Takeaways:
- Silence is a rare and valuable discipline that involves closing off our souls from all sounds, allowing us to connect deeply with God and ourselves. It challenges our fast-paced lives but offers a profound spiritual gift. [01:05]
- Practicing silence in speech helps us gain control over our words, providing the inner distance needed to consider our words carefully. This discipline allows us to resign how we appear to others to God, building trust and letting go of the need for approval. [02:31]
- Silence often goes hand in hand with solitude, and while it may seem challenging to find silence in the presence of others, there are ways to incorporate it into our daily lives. Sharing this discipline with loved ones can be beneficial. [06:05]
- Embrace moments of brief silence throughout the day, whether in the car, at home, or in nature. Invite God into these moments and embrace the anxiety that may arise, finding a quiet inner confidence. [07:19]
- Jesus demonstrated the power of practiced silence during his trial, showing us that silence can be a profound act of trust and surrender to God's will. This inner quiet is a grace that allows us to help others who seek reassurance and approval. [09:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - Introduction to the Easy Yoke
- [00:43] - The Discipline of Silence
- [01:05] - Understanding True Silence
- [01:49] - The Challenge of Silence
- [02:16] - Silence and the Fear of Death
- [02:31] - The Silence of Not Speaking
- [03:30] - A Story of Unbridled Speech
- [04:04] - The Button for Your Mouth
- [05:03] - Resigning Appearance to God
- [05:50] - Silence and Solitude
- [06:34] - Practicing Silence in Daily Life
- [07:19] - Inviting God into Silence
- [08:23] - The Grace of Inner Quiet
- [09:12] - Jesus' Example of Silence
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Discipline of Silence
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:26 - "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."
2. Isaiah 53:7 - "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some of the sounds that we are encouraged to close off from our souls to practice true silence? [01:05]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between silence and solitude? [06:05]
3. What example from the sermon illustrates the concept of "The Silence of Not Speaking"? [04:04]
4. How did Jesus demonstrate the power of practiced silence during his trial, according to the sermon? [09:12]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the practice of silence help us gain control over our words, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:59]
2. How might the discipline of silence and solitude contribute to building trust in God, as discussed in the sermon? [05:23]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the connection between silence and the need for approval from others? [04:48]
4. How does the sermon relate the practice of silence to Jesus' example during his trial? What does this teach us about trust and surrender? [09:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific times or places where you can incorporate moments of silence? How can you make this a regular practice? [06:51]
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt the urge to speak for self-promotion or approval. How might practicing silence have changed the outcome? [07:54]
3. Consider the people you interact with regularly. How can you practice silence to build deeper trust and understanding in those relationships? [04:48]
4. Identify a moment in your life where you felt anxious in silence. How can you invite God into those moments to find peace and confidence? [07:19]
5. Reflect on Jesus' example of silence during his trial. How can you apply this example in situations where you feel the need to defend yourself or argue your case? [09:12]
6. What are some practical steps you can take to practice the discipline of not speaking, especially in situations where you are tempted to gossip or lie? [04:17]
7. How can you encourage your family or loved ones to join you in practicing silence and solitude? What benefits might this bring to your relationships? [06:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Gift of Silence
Silence is a rare and valuable discipline that involves closing off our souls from all sounds, allowing us to connect deeply with God and ourselves. In a world filled with constant noise, true silence is a gift that challenges our fast-paced lives but offers profound spiritual value. By intentionally seeking moments of silence, we create space to listen to God and understand ourselves more deeply. This practice may initially feel uncomfortable, as it contrasts with our usual busyness, but it is in these quiet moments that we can experience a deeper connection with the divine. [01:05]
"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)
Reflection: Where can you carve out a moment of silence today to listen for God's voice, and how might this change your perspective on your daily activities?
Day 2: The Power of Silence in Speech
Practicing silence in speech helps us gain control over our words, providing the inner distance needed to consider our words carefully. This discipline allows us to resign how we appear to others to God, building trust and letting go of the need for approval. By choosing silence, especially when tempted to speak for self-promotion or approval, we learn to trust God with our reputation and relationships. This practice not only refines our character but also deepens our reliance on God, as we learn to speak with intention and grace. [02:31]
"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what situations do you find yourself speaking to gain approval, and how can you practice silence to trust God with your image today?
Day 3: Solitude and Silence as Companions
Silence often goes hand in hand with solitude, and while it may seem challenging to find silence in the presence of others, there are ways to incorporate it into our daily lives. Solitude provides the opportunity to be alone with God, free from distractions, and to engage in deep reflection and prayer. By sharing this discipline with loved ones, we can create a supportive environment that values quiet reflection and spiritual growth. Finding moments of solitude, whether in the early morning or during a quiet walk, can be transformative for our spiritual journey. [06:05]
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a space for solitude in your daily routine, and who can you invite to join you in this practice?
Day 4: Inviting God into Moments of Silence
Embrace moments of brief silence throughout the day, whether in the car, at home, or in nature. Invite God into these moments and embrace the anxiety that may arise, finding a quiet inner confidence. By intentionally pausing to acknowledge God's presence, we cultivate a sense of peace and assurance that transcends our circumstances. These moments of silence become opportunities to center our hearts on God, allowing His presence to guide and sustain us throughout the day. [07:19]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one moment today where you can pause in silence to invite God's presence, and how might this change your outlook on the day?
Day 5: Jesus' Example of Practiced Silence
Jesus demonstrated the power of practiced silence during his trial, showing us that silence can be a profound act of trust and surrender to God's will. This inner quiet is a grace that allows us to help others who seek reassurance and approval. By following Jesus' example, we learn that silence can be a powerful testimony of faith and reliance on God. In moments where words fail or are unnecessary, silence becomes a profound expression of trust in God's sovereignty and timing. [09:12]
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you follow Jesus' example of silence in a challenging situation today, and what might this teach you about trusting God's plan?
Quotes
In silence, we close off our souls from sounds, whether those sounds be noise, music, or words. Total silence is rare, and what we today call quiet usually only amounts to a little less noise. Many people have never experienced silence and do not even know what it is. Our households and offices are filled with the worrying, buzzing, murmuring, chattering, and whining of the multiple contraptions that are supposed to make life easier. [00:59:45]
Silence can be difficult for us because it seems very close to death. In fact, when somebody is dying, it is said that hearing is the final sense to go. Hearing reminds us that we are alive and there is a world out there, and silence can be kind of a scary thing. There's another aspect to the practice of silence: we must also practice the silence of not speaking. [02:09:00]
Practice in not speaking can at least give us control over what we say, that our tongues do not go off automatically. This discipline provides us with a certain inner distance that gives us time to consider our words fully and the presence of mind to control what we say and when we say it. [03:03:00]
Why do we insist on talking as much as we do? We run off at the mouth because we are inwardly uneasy about what others think of us. People who love each other can be silent together, but when we are with those we feel less than secure with, we use our words to adjust our appearance and elicit their approval. [04:37:00]
In not speaking, we resign how we appear to God. Actually, Dallas dares to say we resign how we are, that people can see, to God. So silence builds in us a great trust, and as I have gone through really difficult things over the last couple of years, to learn to let go of what it is that other people are thinking about me. [05:12:00]
Silence and solitude go hand in hand usually. Just as silence is vital to make solitude real, so is solitude needed to make the discipline of silence complete. Few of us can be silent in the presence of others, yet most of us live with others. So how can we practice such a discipline? Well, there are ways. [05:55:00]
For instance, many have learned to rise for a time in the middle of the night to break the night's sleep in half in order to experience such silence. In doing so, they find a rich silence that aids their prayer and study without imposing on others. Though it sounds impossible, meaningful progress in the silence can be made without solitude, even within family life. [06:18:00]
Today, you might think of some moments for brief silence when you get into the car. Instead of listening to something, instead of turning on music or the radio, just be silent. And it's very possible that that will create some anxiety. That's okay. Invite God into that. If you are at home, here in the Cabana, just you in the fridge, be silent and invite God into that. [06:51:00]
Practice the discipline of not speaking. Maybe you will be at a meeting today, and you will be very tempted to say something self-promotional or to let other people know how smart you are, and just decide ahead of time, I will not do that today. I've had moments where I had to bite my lip until it bleeds not to let people know. [07:42:00]
How few of us live with quiet inner confidence, and yet how many of us desire it. But such inward quiet is a great grace we can receive as we practice not talking. So funny how when kids are little, we get them to practice and practice and practice talking. Why don't we help people practice not talking? [08:16:00]
You might remember when Jesus was on trial, and he knew he needed to go to the cross so that defending himself or arguing his case would actually keep him from completing his mission. What he did in that great moment must have been a remarkable act. He was silent, like a lamb before its shearers. [08:51:00]
After we know that confidence, we may, when others come fishing for reassurance and approval, send them to fish in deeper waters for their own inner quiet. When someone comes to you trying to get you to give them your approval, you can just silently say, "Go Fish." We find the God who speaks to us in silence. [09:20:00]
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