Day 120 Afraid to Speak?

 

4/30/2026 

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while

the truth is putting on its shoes."

Charles Spurgeon  

 

My trick to avoid distractions when I turn on my computer for worship music first thing in the morning  has been by using my cell phone music app instead of YouTube on my laptop. This way I can avoid the algorithms of podcasts, sermons or prevent any undue scrolling, so I can focus on quiet time and sidestep  distractions. It's been working better for me, helping me avoid the "shorts" and annoying advertisements, however, it didn't quite work this morning. Somehow, I believe that God wanted me to see this sermon clip by Derek Prince sharing how to take authority over demonic spirits that tend to sneak their way into our minds, causing depression, confusion, weariness, and a list of uneasy responses that can become disastrous if left unchecked. It drew my attention, because I had been crying out to the Lord for help in dealing with a situation I am facing with someone close to me. It becomes disheartening feeling helpless in certain cases, especially like this one.

A good friend whom you can trust with anything, because you know that as horrible as things may be, that friend will still love you and will stick beside you. But then, sometimes the best thing you can do is step aside, because you cannot continue to condone certain behaviors, and if you continue to listen and remain silent, it can be misinterpreted as agreement. I have learned over time that nothing is gained by listening to the same set of arguments over and over, unless that person is willing to settle it outright, by going directly to the one who has offended. Harboring grudges doesn't help, and bringing in other people only feeds the grudge. I believe what scripture says about forgiveness, and in listening to Derek Prince's video, I understand a bit better that the enemy part in it all. No one likes to hear the word "deliverance" voiced, but honestly, this is exactly what it comes down to, if victory is to be grasped. Jesus gave us authority, but sadly this is another one of those subjects the church leaves untouched. 

I have never been one to listen to news stations, and especially now with all the bias, confusion, and outright lies and ugliness that lead to social unrest and wrongs committed, and often violent behavior, involving already unstable persons. Quite frankly, I believe many of these situations are planned or staged, making it a worse crime by people in positions of authority. But this seems to be the norm, and it seems to be what people want to see and hear. People feed on it! When did truth and common sense stop being what people want to know? We have certainly lost our way in America, but then, it is not just America, as the hatred in the world grows daily. 

After the third assassination attempt on our President's life, there were ugly and vile comments made that should sicken the heart of any person. Words no decent person should ever speak at the expense of another. When did this become funny? or entertaining? And yet, every day people will tune it or sit up late to hear this irreverent garbage. The worse part is that much of it comes from the mouths of professing Christians or governmental leaders. Social media is the chosen method of spewing lies and conspiracies. 

The church remains silent on most issues, but I feel that all people should be educated as to what is going on and the proper way to deal with it. Jesus made it very simple in His teachings what is required of His followers. Death to self, surrendering to Him, is the requirement for a follower of Christ. When we die to self, we lose our opinions, and we take on His view. We become like Him and we learn to live for Him. We become salt and light in this world, but first, in our homes. I believe that many pastors and church leaders are afraid to speak up for what they believe, because they are afraid of what may happen or what they may lose. Jesus and the disciples gave us a glimpse of what could happen, but I do not see this example in many churches, and so far none locally. Jesus said we are to occupy until He returns to take us home. We are to make a difference in this world. We cannot hide from it. That is not love, and Jesus called us to love one another. 

Jesus told his disciples what was in come, and the Apostle Paul and the disciples continued to warn us in the epistles. From Genesis to Revelation we are instructed about life, and yet, no one seems to have read the whole counsel of the Word of God, or they have forgotten. In the book of Revelation Jesus has the final say. He is returning for His Church which is to be spotless and holy. We are failing in this regard when we do not speak up and out for the Gospel message. In Revelation 21:6-8 says:

"And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'" 

This is a pretty chilling warning to The Revelation, and I do not want to be included in that terrible list, especially not cowardly. We cannot be afraid to speak up and help people understand what is true, what is relevant, and mostly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a sinful, lawless world who insists that hatred of others and murder of innocents is justified. May we repent and seek the mercy of a Holy God while there is still time.