Group Content
Individual Content
Books
Journals
Hats
Shirts
Sweatshirts
Retreats
Give
Video Access
DVD’s
Sample PackStop Standing In Silence
The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. — John 18:17-18
I reread this text this morning, and this instance captured me again. What Peter does here is indicative of the problem with many believing men.
They stand around the campfire, silent.
Believing men have become silent in our time. We live, work, and stand within proximity of others who hold a variety of different beliefs. People who work in influential roles in the public and private sectors, like here "servants and officers." God orchestrates these moments to give us opportunities to share the truth. He brings us close using very natural circumstances, like here, the "cold" of the night. But professing believers, like Peter, do nothing and say nothing. We stand around silent.
The sad part is that believing men have learned to do this. We have been trained to be silent by the shame of the world or by the fear of persecution. They have convinced themselves a personal faith can exist privately and does not need to go public because of the fear of persecution. But this only leads to atrophy — "a gradual decline in effectiveness due to underuse or neglect." And once spiritual atrophy has set in, it paralyzes men in other experiences. Believing men then become silent in the church, silent in their marriage, and silent with their children. They then live lives of quiet desperation, confused but convinced that something needs to change. But they don't know what to do or say. So, instead of doing something or saying something, they continue to stand around the campfire in the cold, contemplating their failure.
Stop it. Stop being silent. Break free from your spiritual atrophy today. Declare a struggle. Repent from a sin. Activate a spiritual discipline. Lead your family spiritually. Share your faith and belief in Jesus. But don't do what Peter did here. Don't stand around the campfire in silence because if you do, you are just training yourself to be spiritually apathetic. And spiritually apathetic men are spiritually pathetic.
ASK THIS:
Have there been times in your life when you chose to remain silent about your faith or beliefs in a situation where you could have spoken up? What was the reason for your silence?
Reflect on any fears or anxieties you have about openly sharing your faith. How do these fears impact your ability to be vocal about your beliefs?
Consider whether you've ever felt spiritually stagnant or apathetic. Can you identify moments when your faith became less active, and what contributed to this?
What specific steps can you take today to break free from spiritual atrophy and become more active in your faith and in sharing it with others?
Share any experiences where you stepped out of your comfort zone and shared your faith or took bold action in your spiritual journey. How did it affect you and those around you?
What is one specific action or conversation you can initiate in the near future to break the cycle of silence in your faith and become more spiritually engaged?
DO THIS: Stop standing around the campfire silent.
PRAY THIS: Lord, grant me the strength and courage to break the silence, overcome fear, and be an active vessel of your love and truth in this world. Help me to live out my faith boldly and make a positive impact on those around me. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Breaking the Silence.
SIGN UP — THE DAILY DEVO
short + biblical + practical
Read through the Bible daily with Vince Miller.
Thanks for subscribing. Check your email!
The ever-worsening condition
of our world is the result of supposedly Godly, yet apathetic men who have NOT led.
Complete surrender to Christ (John 15:5), and LEADING courageously and confidently are how we DO (not talk about) our part. No more excuses men! – James 1:22
ALL hail the power of Jesus’ name!
One thing to break the silence is to respond to questions with real, God-centered, thankfulness. If someone asks how my day is I can say, God blessed me today with ____.
Also, reaching out to outcasts. Last night I went to a youth event with my kids. I saw some kids from my neighborhood, they were causing a commotion, and one or two of them have picked on my son at school. But having not met them, I made sure to reach out (without referring to my son.). Now they have a neighbor. And I can love more of my neighbors.
Two small steps.
AMEN!!! Love it, Yes indeed. Let’s stop being afraid and start being courageous men of the LORD JESUS.
I have become more vocal about my faith in place I normally do not say much. But every opportunity where I’m asked about something I do not do or partake or even political… “I say my stand is in my believe and my faith and from my faith my stand is …” If anything I’m telling those individuals that my life decisions are based on my faith. Few ask question, some leave thinking, others just want to argue and this group I just ask questions; the Lord will bring those He knows to Himself. My job is to point them to the TRUTH, He does the work…
Whoa Vince!
Really appreciate butt- kicking today…
I have been warming myself by the fire far too long while the worries of this life choke out my faith, making it unfruitful.
Today I will make a small step forward by beginning to pray together with my wife again, which we have not done in quite a while.
Thank you Vince.
//Jay
Amen Vince! I agree with you. Question relating to this for guys at work, practically how do we do this? We don’t want to put people off so they never talk to us again. My advice is to start with a simple question. Maybe, did you go to church Sunday? If not why? If yes where? What was the sermon?
Guilty – silent for too long. Time to let my voice be heard – enough with the apathy and atrophy!
This morning, as we listened to the devo, we were shocked, yes shocked, that you said, “share your stinking faith!” We pondered, “Did he really say stinking?” Well, you did. I have to tell you, when we stopped chuckling, it became the focus of our discussion and prayers. We even concluded it should have been the title of the devo. We even thought about getting you a t-shirt with that message. I’ll be thinking of this all day.
You nailed it again Vince.
Time to step it up and share the word.
Let’s do it together. I am all in.
Totally agreed Vince it’s time for us as men to stop being silent and speak up. Why sometime the only voice the person nearby may hear may be ours so brothers lets speak up.
Spot on.
Every day, remember that you might be the only example of God’s truth that someone encounters. In a world full of distractions, how you live and what you say can show others what it means to follow God. So, make it a priority to live out your faith genuinely, showing God’s love and wisdom through your actions and words. You have a chance each day to be a living example of God’s truth and provide hope and inspiration to those who need it.
Right between the eyes! Thanks, Pastor Vince.
Right on Ryan!
I took a minor step and posted this on my FB page. Let’s not be pathetic today.
That’s pretty good CD.
Unfortunately the stories of stepping out in faith and speaking up, are stories from years ago. They should be from yesterday and last week. Thanks for the reminder.
Honest, Marty. That’s the first step.
Nice DEVO Vince! Yes we can be passive, this is a great example!
I will be using this tonight as part on our study use “The 33 Series”.
Reject passivity
Except responsibility
Lead courageously
Invest eternally
I have used your materials, books and DEVO over the past four years or so. I lead our Men’s Ministry at Church. Our group is around 20 to 25, Wednesday night. Thanks for your work that’s work me!
T.O.U.G.H Men Ministry
Together Opening & Unleashing Godly Hearts
Hearts for our Father “GOD”
Hearts for our Wife’s
Hearts for our kids
Hearts to be the men God created us to be
Hearts for the Church
Hearts for loss people
Hearts for our brother’s
Mark, we cannot do this without men like you keep up the good work and tell those men “hello.”
What city and town are you from?
Greeneville TN