Is noise a good thing? Some might argue that an increase in noise is a sign of how advanced our society has become. Think about technological advancements in the past ten years. Today it is common for most people to have cell phones, more than one radio and television, internet access and possibly even an ipod and/or mp3 player.
What one learns from Scripture, however, is that noise can be a detriment to spiritual growth. Last night in youth we talked about the lack of silence and solitude in our lives and how this might be the reason we are not where we need to be spiritually. Author Donald Whitney believes, "The convenience of sound has contributed to the spiritual shallowness of contemporary western Christianity." If this statement is true, then as society becomes nosier, believers have a greater chance of remaining undeveloped spiritually.
When observing examples from Scripture, one realizes that God’s appointed people often sought spiritual goals in solitary places. Whitney affirmed, “There is something both appealing and transforming about silence and solitude. Other than Christ, perhaps the greatest men under each covenant—Moses and the Apostle Paul—were both transformed through years of virtual isolation in a remote wilderness.” Silence and solitude were also regular disciplines of Jesus. Read Matthew 4:1, 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42.
In the same way our body needs rest; our soul needs to be recharged through the practice of this discipline. Because it is a practice that does not come naturally one must regularly make time and designate a place to apply this discipline. Jim Elliot affirmed, "I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds...Satan is quite aware of the power of silence."
When observing examples from Scripture, one realizes that God’s appointed people often sought spiritual goals in solitary places. Whitney affirmed, “There is something both appealing and transforming about silence and solitude. Other than Christ, perhaps the greatest men under each covenant—Moses and the Apostle Paul—were both transformed through years of virtual isolation in a remote wilderness.” Silence and solitude were also regular disciplines of Jesus. Read Matthew 4:1, 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42.
In the same way our body needs rest; our soul needs to be recharged through the practice of this discipline. Because it is a practice that does not come naturally one must regularly make time and designate a place to apply this discipline. Jim Elliot affirmed, "I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds...Satan is quite aware of the power of silence."
