The other day, while sitting at a favorite restaurant, I wondered why restaurants no longer seem to want people in a quiet atmosphere to eat their meal.  While waiting, I saw and heard several large screen TV’s in the background, all tuned into sports, and above the noise of the TVs, music was playing.  It got me to thinking.  Why does silence bother so many people?  I have noticed this in conversations as well.  When faced with silence, they grow uncomfortable.  It is a curiosity which I have wondered about  many times.

“And the high priest (Caiphas) arose, and said unto Him, Answerest Thou nothing?  what is it which these witness against Thee?  But Jesus held His peace,  . . . .”
Matthew 26:62-63

“And Jesus stood before the governor:  and the governor asked Him, saying, Art Thou the King of the Jews?  And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.  And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.  Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee?   And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.”      Matthew 27:11-14

“And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying Answerest Thou nothing?  what is it which these witness against Thee?  But He held His peace, and answered nothing. . . . . ”      Mark 14:60-61

“And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad:  for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.  Then he questioned with Him in many words; but He answered him nothing.”     Luke 23:9

“When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art Thou?  But Jesus gave him no answer.”     John 19:9

“Silence isn’t empty.  It’s full of answers.”      ~ Unknown

After stepping away for a moment, and thinking about it more, I may have partially come up with an answer.  The governor was uncomfortable with himself.  The same applies to individuals when faced with uncomfortable silences.  If we sit in silence, we have to think much deeper.  We are uncomfortable with ourselves, and thinking within ourselves, makes us face deeper truths.  ….and truths, if chastising, are very uncomfortable, for when faced, we would have to make a change, and change is very hard for most people, especially in the realm of God’s Word.  Submitting ourselves to His will and not our own.

“God is a Spirit:  and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.”     John 4:24

“The philosophers are wrong:  It is not words that kill, it is silence.”        ~  Elie Wiesel

Eileen Light