The Bible says there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7b), but how do we know which time it is?

When it comes to talking about Jesus, it is a time to speak. And I mean that literally. Lots of people love the quote from Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words only when necessary.” But we must recognize how often words are necessary. Our actions should preach the Gospel, but unless we also speak the Gospel, those actions are typically indistinguishable from those of the many very nice non-believers all around us. And yes, we have to “win the right to be heard” through time and actions alike, but when we do earn that right, we have to speak.

The problem is we are afraid. We are afraid of saying the wrong thing and we are afraid of damaging the relationship. But the most repeated command of Scripture is to “fear not,” and an antidote to our fear is praying for boldness.

In Acts 4, the early Church faced the threat of physical persecution for speaking about Jesus. Their response was to pray that the Lord would “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” That is my prayer for us as well.