Speak Up or Remain Silent?

This evening Jeff was out fishing and I had the TV on while Abby was napping on my lap.  There weren't many shows to choose from so I ended up catching a good portion of ABC's "What Would You Do?"  It's not a show I regularly watch although I believe I've seen it once before. 

This evening's show featured a young teen couple in a cafe arguing over whether to keep their baby.  The "dad" said he wasn't ready to become a father and pressures the "girlfriend" to get an abortion.  The women from Dallas, Texas area didn't appear to be shy.  Several were courageous  enough to come over and encourage the "girlfriend" to choose life.  One lady even prayed with the couple.  Another told the young man they were too young to "doing this" and encouraged them to save sex for marriage.  I trust I would have the courage to speak up also if faced with a similar real-life situation.  Life is precious and must be protected. 

"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent." - Calvin

So when is it appropriate to speak up for what is right, defend the helpless or protect the innocent?  I certainly don't enjoy confrontation.  (That's my husband's role and he seems to enjoy it.)  There are times I fear for my own safety and feel I don't have the time to get involved.  I suppose that's how the high priest and Levite felt in the story of the Good Samaritan.

"Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

May I live out these commands in my daily life.  I must not fear what people think.  It's God I seek to please.