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Can’t Shut Up by Anthem Lights

Posted Oct 11, 2023
By Amanda Renée
5 min read

About the Song

This week, we are continuing the “Fearless October” theme from last week about not being afraid to speak out about Jesus.

“Can’t Shut Up” was released by Anthem Lights in 2011, first on their EP and then on their self-titled debut album.

It starts out with some light strings and drums that quickly lead into heavier drums and electric guitars (which, technically speaking, still have strings).

Anthem Lights' Self-Titled Album Cover

The song has an excellent mix of harmonies – nothing too much or over the top (which can be a challenge when a band is made up of four good singers). Each voice is given both a chance to shine and a chance to support the others’ voices.

It begins with the speakers recalling their lives before being transformed by Christ – blah, pointless, just existing.

But now that they have found His abundant life, they seek out others who share their experience so they can all join together in proclaiming the life, love, light, and freedom they have in Jesus.

They are no longer willing or able to keep quiet – they are on a mission to share their testimony and to bring others from darkness to light as well.

I have always loved this song. It gets a loud and clear 5 stars from me!

Scriptural Application

“Can’t Shut Up” reminds me of the story in Acts 3–4 of the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate at the Temple.

As Peter and John walked past him, he began to beg from them for money. Instead, Peter commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to get up and walk.

The man did, and began “walking, leaping, and praising God” for his miracle.

As a result, Peter was able to share with the astonished onlookers the good news that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for, and he backed up his statements with the words of the prophets.

Peter reminded the people that they had called for Jesus’ crucifixion, but he acknowledged that they had done so in ignorance.

But the power of God Almighty had raised Jesus from the dead! And now, God was glorifying Jesus through miracles done through faith in Jesus’ Name.

The wicked religious leaders were irritated to hear this talk of Jesus and of resurrection. After all, they had worked very hard to ensure Jesus’ death (not to mention the Sadducees didn’t believe in any kind of resurrection at all).

So they threw Peter and John in jail overnight, and the next morning they demanded to know by whose authority the disciples were operating.

Peter again declared to them that the man had been healed by the power of the name of Jesus, Whom God had raised from the dead after they had crucified Him.

The religious leaders could not deny the fact that the lame man had been healed – he was standing right there in front of them. But they still wanted to silence the disciples.

Acts 4:18–20 tells what happened next:

18So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

18But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

(New Living Translation [NLT])

(Or, as the New International Version puts it, “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”)

The apostles could have responded in fear. After all, they were speaking to the very people who had cried out for Jesus’ death.

But the apostles responded in boldness instead. They couldn’t keep quiet about the Truth about Jesus Christ. They couldn’t “shut up” – not even when threatened by the same people that had killed Jesus.

Why? I believe there were several reasons:

  • Jesus had conquered death (Hebrews 2:14).

  • They knew that Jesus and His power in them was greater than that of their opponents (1 John 4:4).

  • Jesus had commanded them to share the Good News with everyone (Mark 16:15–18).

  • Jesus had promised to give them the words to speak in the face of opposition (Luke 21:12–15).

  • They wanted others to experience the salvation, freedom, and deliverance they had experienced.

Those same reasons apply to us today, as well. Jesus has not changed – He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).

We too, can operate in the same boldness that the apostles did, speaking the Truth and sharing with others the Good News about Jesus and all He has done for us.

Let’s not shut up!

Prayer Focus

This week’s focus includes the current and past members of Anthem Lights, along with their families:

  • Chad Graham (current)

  • Caleb Grimm (current)

  • Joseph “Joey” Stamper (current)

  • Spencer Kane (current)

  • Kyle Kupecky (past)

  • Alan Powell (past)

Please pray for these bands and individuals as God leads you.

(I also have a basic guideline here if you wish to refer to it.)

Station Support

In addition to praying for the weekly Prayer Focus, please pray for God to guide me and give me wisdom as I make decisions for the radio station and for the website. I really appreciate your prayer support!

If you feel that the Lord is leading you to support Rocking for Jesus financially as well, you can do so by clicking here or by clicking on the “Give” tab in the website menu.

Contact

Can you think of any other instances in the Bible where people spoke up boldly for the Lord? Let me know!

Anthem Lights' Self-Titled Album Cover

Downloads and/or physical copies may also be available worldwide from your favorite online music store, at your local bookstore or thrift shop, or through your favorite online marketplace.

Closing Note

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Signing off until next week –

Rocking for Jesus with you!

Amanda Renée

songs, devotional
anthem lights evangelism testimony fear boldness october five stars

(The author's permissions for copying/quoting this article are found in the disclaimer.)

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