The spiritual practice of silence is an important aspect of the Judeo-Christian tradition, with examples found throughout the Old and New Testaments. In this paper, we will examine several examples of silence as a spiritual practice and consider their relevance for our lives today.
One of the earliest examples of silence in the Bible is found in the book of Genesis. After Cain murders his brother Abel, God confronts him and Cain responds with a defiant and defensive statement. God’s response is to place a curse on Cain and he says, “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth” (Genesis 4:11-12).
The application for our day is that silence can be a powerful tool for self-examination and repentance. Cain was confronted with his sin and instead of acknowledging it and seeking forgiveness, he became defensive and angry. In our own lives, we may be tempted to react in a similar way when confronted with our own shortcomings. However, by practicing silence and reflecting on our actions, we can become more aware of our sin and our need for God’s forgiveness.
In the book of Psalms, there are numerous examples of silence as a spiritual practice. For example, Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The psalmist encourages us to be still and quiet in order to focus our attention on God’s presence and sovereignty.
The application for our day is that silence can help us to develop a deeper awareness of God’s presence and to cultivate a sense of awe and reverence. In our busy and noisy world, it can be easy to forget that God is always with us. By intentionally setting aside time for silence, we can learn to be more attuned to His presence and to experience His peace and joy.
In the New Testament, we see several examples of Jesus practicing silence as a spiritual discipline. For example, after He is baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus goes into the wilderness for forty days and nights. During this time, He fasts and is tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1-2 says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.”
The application for our day is that silence can help us to resist temptation and to grow in our dependence on God. Jesus was able to resist the devil’s temptations by relying on the truth of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. In our own lives, we may face similar temptations and struggles. By practicing silence and seeking God’s guidance and strength, we can overcome temptation and grow in our faith.
The spiritual practice of silence is a powerful tool for growing in our relationship with God. Whether we are seeking self-examination and repentance, a deeper awareness of God’s presence, or strength to resist temptation, silence can help us to focus our attention on God and to grow in our faith. As we follow the examples of silence found throughout the Bible, may we be strengthened and encouraged to seek God’s presence in all aspects of our lives.
Intentional Faith 