SOLITUDE/SILENCE

For four weeks we have been studying Spiritual Disciplines. In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster breaks Spiritual Disciplines into three categories – Inward Disciplines, Outward Disciplines, and Corporate Disciplines. Last week we finished up the first category of Inward Disciplines.

The first inward discipline we discussed was meditation and we talked about what meditation is and is not, why we should meditate, how to prepare to meditate and then examples of meditation – experiencing biblical stories, focused concentration on Scripture or creation.

The second inward discipline was the Discipline of Prayer. We defined prayer as communication between us and God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and the communication is not a monologue but two-way. And unlike meditation which requires other disciplines to be in motion as well –prayer can be done in isolation; it is a counterpart of many of the other disciplines.

The third inward discipline of fasting. We talked about how it is not the diet-fad that is going around but it is a spiritual discipline of connecting deeper with our Heavenly Father and being more in tune to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We looked at 8 biblical examples of fasting as well as going over 9 potential ways to fast.

The final inward discipline was STUDY – study is specifically directed and focused attention to Scripture and God’s character and presence (in creation) and we talked about study requiring Repetition, Concentration, Comprehension, and Reflection as well as using the acronym SOAP to study Scripture.

Last week we started the first of the Outward disciplines, that being of Simplicity. We covered 9 ways to simplify but the one to remember was whatever distracts you from first seeking the Kingdom of God –

This week we look at the second outward discipline of Solitude

Let us Pray!

I. Why Solitude/Silence?

Jesus practiced Solitude –

Matthew 4:1-11 while in the desert

Luke 6:12 – before choosing the disciples

Matthew 14:13 – the death of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:23 – feeding 5000

Mark 6:1 – Missions

Luke 5:16 – healing many

Matthew 26:36-46 – the Garden of Gethsemane before facing death

Ecclesiastes 5:1 – Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.

v2 – Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

When we are silent – seek to hear God – the trust level reaches an intimate level – His Way is better than our way

Psalm 62:5 – For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

It has been said that without solitude it is nearly impossible to lead a spirit-filled life because solitude frees us from the bondage that other people put on us.

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

II. What Is Solitude/Silence?

Solitude is not loneliness – being lonely terrifies people

Solitude is more of a state of mind and heart than an actual place.

Solitude does require silence – without silence there is not solitude – draws on the act of listening to the heart of God

Must try to get to the point of physical, emotions, mental, psychological, and spiritual silence –

Old adage – those who open their mouths, close their eyes – we want to and need to be able to see and hear – we must control the noise

So, Solitude requires control as well – we must control our tongue

Matthew 17:4 – Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Many translations translate, Peter answered, answering Peter said – there were no words spoken on the mount of Transfiguration until Peter spoke – Peter is the example of not holding his tongue and speaking before thinking

James tells us a lot about our tongues –

James 3:1-12 – tongue boasts, tongue like a spark that sets a forest on fire, rudder on a boat, small but determines the course of the ship, stains the whole body

Proverbs 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Ecclesiastes 3:7b – a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Proverbs 17:28 – Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Say what needs to be said, WHEN it needs to be said –

Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 21:23 – Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble

Our tongue is most powerful and devasting weapon of manipulation.

The spirit of bondage uses words – ours and others to put us into bondage

Our tongue is both the thermometer and the thermostat – not only does it reveal our spiritual temperature but it also regulates our spiritual settings – we must control our tongue

In silence we experience the freedom of letting God be the justifier – we don’t need to defend ourselves – the Holy Spirit will for us.

John of the Cross describes the highest level of silence/solitude which he calls dark night of the soul – nothing bad or destructive but not reliant on anything but God’s presence

No emotions – no senses – no imagination – it is being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit’s presence in you that there is complete stillness – physical, mental, emotional, sensory stillness

Isaiah 50:10 talks to this – Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

We can fear obey and trust the Lord but still walk in darkness – we live in obedience to Him but experience a dark night of the soul – we are just dull to the things around us

Psalm 62:1-2 – For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Isaiah 30:15 – For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,

III. How do I Engage in Solitude/Silence?

Remember Solitude/Silence is not done in isolation – prayer, fasting, worship should be incorporated in this time as well

Matthew 6:6 – But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

1. Take advantage of little moments of solitude

a. Early morning before getting out of bed

b. Morning silence with your cup of coffee

c. Stand-still traffic

d. Go to bed before falling asleep

e. God’s beauty in nature and creation

f. Before study (Bible reading) or Worship

2. Develop your quiet place – your do not disturb location

3. Find a place away from home or work

4. Try an entire day of no words

5. 4 times a year get away from civilization and technology spend 3-6 alone in silence no way of being interrupted –

a. What has God called you to do?

b. How are you doing at it?

c. What else do you have to do to complete it?

d. What else is God asking of you?

We need to remember –

1 Kings 19:11-12 – And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

Zephaniah 1:7 – Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.