Timing, Location and Purpose
Have you ever had a moment when you knew you had something important to say, but something in your spirit told you, “Not yet”? Or perhaps you stayed silent, only to feel the nudge later that you should have spoken?
Timing, location, and purpose don’t just matter in public speaking or strategic planning. They matter to God.
In fact, Jesus Himself modeled a life of intentional speech. He knew when to speak boldly and when to stay silent. He understood the weight of a word spoken too soon, or in the wrong place, or for the wrong reason.
Today, we’ll explore this sometimes puzzling aspect of Jesus’ ministry, why He sometimes said, “Go and tell,” and other times said, “Tell no one.” What looks like a contradiction is actually divine wisdom, a wisdom is available to us today.
Timing: Knowing When to Speak and When to Wait
Jesus understood the importance of timing. At times, He encouraged people to share what God had done. At other times, He commanded them to remain silent.
When Jesus Said, "Go and Tell"
In several cases, particularly in Gentile regions, Jesus told people to share their testimonies. In these contexts, public proclamation would not disrupt His mission but rather advance it.
In Mark 5:18–20, After delivering a man from demons in the region of the Gerasenes (a Gentile area), Jesus says: “Go home to your people and report what great things the Lord has done for you.”
Luke 8:38–39 shows us a similar instruction given to another man formerly possessed by demons.
When Jesus Said, "Tell No One"
In Jewish regions, Jesus often told people to remain silent. This is commonly referred to by scholars as the Messianic Secret. His identity as the Messiah was true, but a premature public acknowledgment could have led to misunderstanding or political upheaval.
Mark 1:40–45 shares with us how Jesus heals a man with leprosy and instructs him not to speak of it. The man disobeys, and as a result, Jesus can no longer enter cities openly due to overwhelming crowds.
In Matthew 16:20 states that after Peter declares Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus commands the disciples not to tell anyone, because the full revelation of His mission would come through the cross and resurrection.
While John 7:6 takes us to the moment when Jesus says to His brothers, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always ready.”
Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us that there’s “A time to be silent and a time to speak.” Just as Jesus was attentive to the Father’s timing, we must also be sensitive to when God calls us to speak and when He calls us to wait.
Location: Understanding Where God Wants Us to Speak
Jesus also considered the significance of place when deciding whether to speak or remain silent. In different cultural or spiritual contexts, His approach varied.
In Jewish areas, spreading news of His miracles could lead to misunderstanding or opposition.
In Gentile areas, such testimony could prepare the way for the gospel.
Mark 5:19 shares with us how Jesus tells the man in the Decapolis region: “Go home to your people and report what great things the Lord has done for you.”
God may call us to speak in one environment and remain silent in another. Not every audience is ready for every message. We must always remember to ask God for discernment regarding where He wants us to speak.
Purpose: Aligning Our Speech with God’s Mission
Jesus never spoke for attention or popularity. His words were always aligned with the Father’s redemptive mission.
In Matthew 17:9, after the Transfiguration, Jesus says to His disciples: “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” Though the vision was true, the world was not yet ready to receive it.
Not everything that is true needs to be shared immediately. Before speaking, we should ask: Will this glorify God? Will it serve His kingdom purposes? Or am I simply speaking to be heard?
Practical Applications for Daily Victorious Living
1. Wait for God’s Timing: When God gives you a word, a vision, or a testimony, it is often wise to wait. Ask the Lord if the time to share has arrived, or if He is still preparing you or the people who need to hear it.
2. Discern Your Audience: God may call you to speak in certain places and remain silent in others. We must recognize that not every truth is appropriate for every setting.
3. Speak with Purpose: Even when what we share is true, it must be guided by love, discernment, and the Spirit’s leading. Our goal is not simply to speak, but to glorify God and advance His mission.
One Final Thought
Jesus never wasted a word. He lived in constant communion with the Father, speaking when prompted and remaining silent when necessary. His speech was shaped by divine timing, location, and purpose.
As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same. The world does not need more noise. It needs voices that are led by the Spirit, speaking in step with God’s will.
Before you speak, pause and pray: “Holy Spirit, is this the right time? Is this the right place? Will this bring glory to You?”
When we align our timing, our setting, and our purpose with the heart of God, our words become instruments of His grace spoken not for attention, but for transformation.
Experience a New Life in Jesus Christ
If you have not yet experienced the life-changing power of a relationship with Christ, we invite you to open your heart to Him today. Embrace the truth of His resurrection and embark on a journey of transformation, guided by His presence and fueled by His mission of love and redemption.
The Bible teaches us in Romans 10:9-10 that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation."
Do it today and start enjoying a new life in Jesus Christ.
Take the next step in your spiritual growth. Unlock God’s truth in a deeper way and strengthen your walk with Christ. Subscribe now to receive life-changing lessons from Second Ridge Ministries.
Scriptures for this Bible Study taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), © 2025 The Lockman Foundation. Used with permission. www.Bible.com
"Timing, Location and Purpose" is a Christian Bible Teaching presented by Second Ridge Ministries
09/19/2025 | © 2025 Second Ridge Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
Your generous donations help us continue spreading the message of God’s grace and reaching more people with our content. Every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for your support.
Or you may send your check or money order to: Second Ridge Ministries, 1625 Trancas Street, Suite 2644, Napa, CA 94558
Or you may donate online: https://donate.stripe.com/14kaFb5VBbOEfHq3cc
Thank you for supporting Second Ridge Ministries! Help us spread the message of God's grace by sharing this post with your friends and family. Together, we can reach more hearts and minds.
~ The Second Ridge Ministries Team