By Julie Fisk | The Ruth Experience

How do we reveal Jesus in situations and places where we cannot verbally confess our faith in him? We can silently proclaim our faith.

Balancing the commandment to share Jesus with the realities of workplace policies, school volunteering requirements, and even cultural norms doesn’t have to tie us up in knots of conflicted loyalties or create awkward social situations. We’ve got practical ideas for living your faith out loud (but without words).

Silently Proclaiming Our Faith

“Hey Julie, do you have a moment?” Glancing toward my office door, I say “Absolutely, come in.” even as I clear a spot on my paper strewn desk. 

The quiet snick of my closing door tells me the conversation is personal, not professional. As she settles into a chair with tear-filled eyes, I silently pray for the ability to provide biblical truth even if I don’t speak Jesus’ name aloud.

My office is known as a safe haven: a space where hard things can be shared without fear of being repeated, and a place where people are prayed over whether they ever know it or not.

Having spent my entire life working in professions where faith and work are kept carefully separated, I’ve learned to serve as his hands and feet in nonverbal ways, letting my actions reveal Jesus when my words cannot. This silent revelation works equally well on soccer sidelines, at PTA meetings, neighborhood gatherings and anywhere else where a demonstration of my faith is initially better received than a verbal confession.

Our love for Jesus is evident by our actions.

Shining a Silent Light of Faith

While I’ve struggled from time to time about whether my silent witness in these spaces is good enough, scripture reminds us that authentic faith cannot help but be revealed through the things we do (James 3:14-26). I especially love the imagery in this scripture:

“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matt. 5:15-16 (NLT)

I’ve realized the old adage is truer than not, especially in today’s culture: actions speak louder than words. When I live life exhibiting the fruits of the spirit set forth in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control), acquaintances become intrigued and ask questions. Their questions open the door to a conversation about why I live the way I do, and my answer is always, Jesus. And when I’m invited to speak of my faith, the conversation is rich and deep and powerful in ways it might not be otherwise.]

4 Practical Ways to Silently Proclaim Your Faith

What does it look like to live a life that invites conversations about Jesus? Here are some practical starting points:

1. Control your tongue. Speak well of others when they are not present. (James, Chapter 1)

2. Remain a peaceful presence in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, turning to prayer instead of anxiousness (Philippians 4:6-7), secure in knowing God does not leave nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

3. Extend mercy freely and compassionately (Luke 6:36).

4. Forgive (with boundaries when necessary) (Luke 17:4).

These specific ideas are simply to get you started. Being a woman who consistently exhibits love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) will set you quietly apart in ways that cannot help but invite conversation about your counter-cultural lifestyle.

A Gentle Reminder

If you’ve fallen a bit short in a few of these areas (I know I have!), remember that the discomfort of conviction is a sign that we need to confess our shortcomings before Jesus (Acts 3:19). He forgives our sins and gives us a fresh start. (1 John 1:9).

God used Paul to write more books in the New Testament than any other author, despite his beginnings as Saul – the zealous tormentor and persecutor of the early church (Acts, Chapter 9). There is nothing beyond the forgiveness or redemption of God (Romans 5:8). Wife Step: Commit to consistently practicing one silent, Jesus-loving behavior this week.  

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