How can believers today "shut their mouths" against injustice, as in Job 5:16? Job 5 : 16—The Foundation “So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.” What It Means to “Shut the Mouth” of Injustice • Silence every excuse that defends wrongdoing • Remove the platform on which oppression speaks • Replace loud lies with lived-out truth (John 8 : 32) Spirit-Led Actions That Seal the Lips of Injustice • Live transparently righteous lives – “Let your light shine before men…” (Matthew 5 : 16) • Speak truth, refuse distortion – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully.” (Ephesians 4 : 25) • Advocate publicly for the voiceless – “Speak up for those without a voice… defend the rights of the needy.” (Proverbs 31 : 8-9) • Refuse partiality in daily dealings – “Show no favoritism.” (James 2 : 1) • Give tangible aid to the oppressed – “If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food… what good is it?” (James 2 : 15-16) • Pray for God’s intervention and wisdom – “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers… be made for all people.” (1 Timothy 2 : 1) Guarding Our Own Mouths so Injustice Has None • Reject gossip and slander that wound the vulnerable (Proverbs 10 : 18) • Respond to anger with gentle truth (Proverbs 15 : 1) • Keep promises; broken words breed inequity (Psalm 15 : 4) Using Influence in Society • Vote and petition for policies that protect life and liberty (Romans 13 : 3-4) • Support leaders who reward good and restrain evil • Engage locally—school boards, community projects, crisis-pregnancy centers, food pantries Strength for the Task • Depend on the Spirit’s power, not human zeal (Zechariah 4 : 6) • Remember Christ’s finished work guarantees ultimate justice (Colossians 2 : 15) • Keep eternal perspective: “Do not grow weary in well-doing.” (Galatians 6 : 9) Result: Hope for the Poor, Silence for Evil When believers live and speak this way, “the poor have hope,” and every excuse for oppression is stripped away. Injustice is left with nothing to say. |
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