It's a cute saying. And it's true. Actions do speak louder than words. We can have all the right words but if our own actions don't line up with what we are saying we're just wasting our breath.
Francis' saying, however, is becoming an overused Christian cliche. The problem with Christian cliches is that they are scriptural sounding phrases that end up trumping scripture and are all too often slapped on the wrong situations or are just flat out wrong. Like anybody's words, when taken out of context they can do more damage than good.
Francis wasn't saying to never open our mouths when sharing the Gospel with people. He said "when necessary, use words." Jesus used words. A lot of words. Words inspired by the Holy Spirit. And it was Good News to the hearer.
I'm telling you, if you want to share your faith, if you want to share the Gospel with people, you will have to use words. Just as Jesus said "when you fast" and not "if you fast," He's implying you will fast. In Francis' case, "when necessary use words" means it's necessary; you are going to have to open your mouth.
"In fact, it says, 'The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.' And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.' Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For 'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.' But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!' But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, 'LORD, who has believed our message?' So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ." (Romans 10:8-17 NLT)
There are other times when your voice is needed:
AGAINST INJUSTICE
“Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!” (Proverbs 31:8-9 MSG)
FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE
"Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives." (Titus 2:1-7 MSG)
And how can anyone hear anything of this unless it is spoken to them? Use words. It's necessary.
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