21 Bible Verses About Holding Your Peace (With Commentary)
In the face of conflict, adversity, or injustice, it can be challenging to hold our peace. But the Bible provides guidance and wisdom on the power of maintaining inner peace amidst turmoil. Join us as we explore comforting verses that encourage us to trust God’s sovereignty, seek peace, and navigate difficult situations with grace and wisdom. Get ready to discover the transformative power of holding your peace and embracing a spirit of calm in the midst of life’s storms.
Bible Verses About Holding Your Peace
Exodus 14:14
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Moses encourages the Israelites to remain calm and hold their peace as they face the imminent threat of the pursuing Egyptian army. He reminds them that it is God who will fight for them and secure their deliverance.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
The psalmist calls for stillness and silence as a means of experiencing the revelation of God’s greatness and supremacy, even amidst tumultuous circumstances and global unrest.
Proverbs 17:28
“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
This passage highlights the wisdom of holding one’s peace, even in challenging or contentious situations. It suggests that silence and discretion can convey a sense of composure and maturity.
Isaiah 30:15
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.’”
God invites his people to find salvation and strength in turning to him, and resting in his presence. This intimate communion is marked by a stillness and confidence that contrasts with the futile reliance on external resources and strategies that God’s people have foolishly pursued.
Luke 4:35
“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent and come out of him!’ And the demon, when it had thrown him down in their midst, came out of him without injuring him.”
Jesus demonstrates his authority and power as he commands a demon to be silent and leave a possessed man. This underscores the importance of using our own words, and keeping our peace, with intention and purpose, in accordance with the will of God.
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James reminds believers of the importance of exercising restraint in their speech and emotions, recognizing that anger and impulsiveness can lead us astray and subvert God’s will for our lives.
1 Peter 3:10-11
“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.’”
Peter emphasizes the transformative power of pursuing peace, rejecting deceit and evil, and speaking truthfully and honestly. This is the path to true flourishing, and God’s blessings.
Psalm 4:4
“Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”
The psalmist urges his readers to search their hearts in silence, seeking to expose their sins and weaknesses to God’s light and to find forgiveness and renewal. This peaceful self-reflection contrasts with the frantic and fruitless attempts to justify oneself before God or others.
Proverbs 10:19
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
The wise proverb cautions against the tendency to talk too much, believing that we can argue or explain our way out of our moral failings. Rather, the path to resolution requires humility, restraint, and a willingness to listen and seek counsel.
Isaiah 32:17
“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
Isaiah makes a connection between righteousness and peace, affirming that a life marked by right living and integrity will lead to a deep sense of quietness and trust in God’s providence and goodness.
Lamentations 3:25-26
“The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
Lamentations expresses hope in the goodness of God, even amidst the devastation and sorrow of exile. The call to wait quietly for the Lord’s salvation is a reminder that our peace is not found in our own efforts or achievements, but in our trust and dependence on God’s faithful love.
Ecclesiastes 3:7
“a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak”
Ecclesiastes presents a sober view of the rhythms of life, recognizing that there is a proper time for every action, including the need for silence and careful consideration, as well as times for bold and courageous speech and action.
Zechariah 2:13
“Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because, he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Zechariah proclaims a message of hope and restoration, calling all people to be still and acknowledge God’s presence and power. This is a call to humility and surrender, recognizing that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes or plans.
Job 13:5
“If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.”
Job’s response to his so-called friends, who heap accusations and judgments against him, is a plea for their silence, recognizing that their false and ignorant assessments serve only to compound his suffering.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Jesus teaches that the pursuit of peace, and the intentional work of reconciliation, is a hallmark of the true children of God. This is a high calling, requiring humility, patience, and courage, yet it is rewarded with a blessed and honorable identity.
Psalms 37:7
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
The psalmist advises his readers to maintain their peace and trust in God’s justice, even in the face of others’ apparent prosperity and success through unjust means or wicked schemes.
Proverbs 26:17
“Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.”
The proverb highlights the foolishness of meddling in conflicts that do not concern us, comparing it to the recklessness of grabbing a stray dog by the ears. Holding one’s peace and avoiding unnecessary strife is often the wiser path.
Luke 23:8-9
“When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.”
In this encounter with Herod, who is eager to witness a miracle or display of power, Jesus chooses to remain silent, refusing to indulge Herod’s curiosity or desire for a spectacle.
1 Kings 19:11-12
“The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
Elijah’s encounter with God on the mountain reveals God’s presence in the stillness and quietness of a gentle whisper, rather than the dramatic or sensational manifestations that we might expect. This underscores the value of stillness and silence in our spiritual lives, as a means of encountering God’s voice and presence more deeply.
What does the Bible say about holding your peace?
In the Bible, the phrase “holding your peace” or “keeping silent” is often mentioned in the context of refraining from speaking out or expressing one’s opinions or emotions, especially during challenging or contentious situations. The Scriptures emphasize the significance of exercising self-control over one’s tongue and emotions, and there are various instances where this principle is highlighted.
- Avoiding Arguments and Strife: Proverbs 17:14 (NIV) states, “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” The Bible encourages individuals to let go of contentious matters rather than engaging in arguments that can escalate conflicts.
- Patience and Self-Control: Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NIV) suggests, “a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.” This verse highlights the importance of discerning when to remain quiet and when to speak up, emphasizing the need for patience and self-control.
- In the Face of Adversity: When faced with unjust accusations or trials, Jesus exemplified holding His peace. In Matthew 27:12-14 (NIV), during His trial before Pilate, Jesus “made no reply, not even to a single charge.” This demonstrates the power of silence in the face of false accusations.
- Seeking Wisdom: Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) advises, “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” This verse encourages seeking wisdom and restraint in speech, recognizing that speaking too much can lead to sin or unwise decisions.
- Humility: James 1:19-20 (NIV) instructs believers, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Holding one’s peace is an expression of humility and a way to avoid unnecessary conflict and anger.
It is important to note that “holding your peace” does not imply suppressing concerns or staying silent in the face of injustice or evil. Instead, it encourages thoughtful restraint in speech, avoiding unnecessary arguments, and seeking wisdom and humility in interactions with others. By doing so, individuals can promote harmony and contribute to a more peaceful and compassionate society.
