How ought to be the preaching of the word?
• “A wise man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools cries out foolishness.” (Pro 12:23)
It is truth that Jesus said:
• “What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear, proclaim on the housetops.” (Mat 10:27).
Nonetheless, it is good to remember that the New Testament only started to come into effect from the death of Jesus (Eph 2:14-16). In the Old Testament people were instructed to proclaim aloud:
• “Yet even now, says Jehovah, turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” (Joe 2:12)
• “Blow a trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn gathering.” (Joe 2:15)
• “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who will not always be silent all the day nor all the night; you who remember Jehovah, do not be silent. And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isa 62:6,7)
Although preaching in loud voice isn’t necessarily wrong (Jesus preached for multitudes (for instance, Matthew 5), Peter (Acts 2)), nevertheless Jesus instructed the disciples to be discreet:
• “But when you do merciful deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.” (Mat 6:3-7).
And the reason can be seen below:
• “In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking; but he who holds back his lips is wise.” (Pro 10:19).
• “One going with slander is a revealer of secrets, but the faithful of spirit keeps the matter hidden.” (Pro 11:13)
• “Every wise one deals with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.” (Pro 13:16)
• “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.” (Pro 15:2).
So, if we are sure that is the Holy Spirit who are leading us to speak loud to multitudes (and not our emotions and gusto), fine. Otherwise, follow the advice of the psalmist:
• “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You.” (Psa 119:11).
When Jesus said for us to preach the gospel, first of all, His intention is that we make His words pervade all our heart, including those places which, usually, nothing can reach. Doing this, all our actions will be a demonstration of spirit and power (see 1Cor 2:4,5), such as the glory of the Creator is in the hide things (Pro 25:2); for instance, in the nature (Romans 1:20).
So, have a great weekend doing your life (in a humble and meek spirit - see 1Peter 3:1,2) speaks louder than the bellow of the tyrants and braggarts.
• “A wise man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools cries out foolishness.” (Pro 12:23)
It is truth that Jesus said:
• “What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear, proclaim on the housetops.” (Mat 10:27).
Nonetheless, it is good to remember that the New Testament only started to come into effect from the death of Jesus (Eph 2:14-16). In the Old Testament people were instructed to proclaim aloud:
• “Yet even now, says Jehovah, turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” (Joe 2:12)
• “Blow a trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn gathering.” (Joe 2:15)
• “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who will not always be silent all the day nor all the night; you who remember Jehovah, do not be silent. And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isa 62:6,7)
Although preaching in loud voice isn’t necessarily wrong (Jesus preached for multitudes (for instance, Matthew 5), Peter (Acts 2)), nevertheless Jesus instructed the disciples to be discreet:
• “But when you do merciful deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.” (Mat 6:3-7).
And the reason can be seen below:
• “In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking; but he who holds back his lips is wise.” (Pro 10:19).
• “One going with slander is a revealer of secrets, but the faithful of spirit keeps the matter hidden.” (Pro 11:13)
• “Every wise one deals with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.” (Pro 13:16)
• “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.” (Pro 15:2).
So, if we are sure that is the Holy Spirit who are leading us to speak loud to multitudes (and not our emotions and gusto), fine. Otherwise, follow the advice of the psalmist:
• “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You.” (Psa 119:11).
When Jesus said for us to preach the gospel, first of all, His intention is that we make His words pervade all our heart, including those places which, usually, nothing can reach. Doing this, all our actions will be a demonstration of spirit and power (see 1Cor 2:4,5), such as the glory of the Creator is in the hide things (Pro 25:2); for instance, in the nature (Romans 1:20).
So, have a great weekend doing your life (in a humble and meek spirit - see 1Peter 3:1,2) speaks louder than the bellow of the tyrants and braggarts.