Kutless - Shut Me Out Lyrics
Lyrics
Music Break
V1:
Tell me something, I don't already know.
I know that You can't stand these things,
I'm preaching in the streets.
But how can I contain, the truth
I hold inside with all the hurting people that I see?
Pre-Chorus:
So I don't mind! Putting up with You, and all the things You say.
I'm not about to stop or even change my ways.
Chorus:
There's nothing You can say that will take me away from this life.
There's nothing You can do to shut me up (to shut me out) when I'm speaking the truth.
V2:
You may not like all I have to say.
But You can't prove that everything is filled with empty words.
I know my life and inside how I've changed, a testimony to the truth I speak.
Bridge:
So I don't mind!
Putting up with You, and all the things You say.
I'm not about to stop, or even change my ways.
Repeat CHORUS
Music Break
Chorus
Video
Kutless - Shut Me Out
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2006 as part of their compelling album *Hearts of the Innocent*, Kutless's "Shut Me Out" is far more than just a rock anthem; it’s a powerful declaration of unwavering faith in the face of adversity. This track dives deep into the heart of a believer who finds themselves compelled to share a life-altering truth, despite encountering resistance and disdain. The song vividly portrays the internal struggle of knowing a profound truth and the external challenge of communicating it to a skeptical world, all while holding firm to an unshakeable conviction.
The narrative of "Shut Me Out" begins with a direct address to an unnamed antagonist, who clearly disapproves of the speaker's public declarations of faith. The opening lines establish a tension, where the speaker acknowledges the opposition's stance but immediately counters it with the undeniable urge to share what they know. This mirrors the biblical call to evangelism, where the urgency of the message often outweighs the fear of rejection. We see this powerful necessity echoed in Acts 4:20, where Peter and John declare, "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." The song’s speaker cannot contain the truth, driven by the sight of "hurting people" who desperately need hope, a sentiment akin to Jesus’ compassion for the harassed and helpless crowds in Matthew 9:36.
The pre-chorus and bridge serve as a resolute refusal to be silenced or swayed. The speaker doesn't just tolerate the opposition; they face it head-on, declaring, "I'm not about to stop or even change my ways." This bold stance perfectly embodies the spirit of perseverance described in Galatians 6:9, which encourages us not to grow weary in doing good. It is a defiant stand against the pressure to conform or retreat, a testament to the strength found in a conviction rooted in something greater than human opinion. This steadfastness is crucial for anyone engaged in sharing their faith, understanding that the path of truth often invites criticism.
The chorus, the emotional core of "Shut Me Out," is an outright declaration of spiritual independence and resilience: "There's nothing You can say that will take me away from this life. There's nothing You can do to shut me up (to shut me out) when I'm speaking the truth." This powerful assertion resonates deeply with Romans 8:38-39, where Paul declares that nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from the love of God. The song captures this unbreakable bond with the divine, illustrating that threats or arguments hold no power over a spirit anchored in eternal truth. It’s a battle cry for those who choose to obey God rather than humans, echoing the apostles’ declaration in Acts 5:29. The life being spoken of is not merely a physical existence, but a spiritual journey, a calling, from which no earthly force can pull them.
As the song progresses into its second verse, the speaker addresses the accusations of their words being "empty." Here, the defense shifts from the external call to share to the internal evidence of transformation. The speaker knows their own life, the profound change within, serving as a powerful "testimony to the truth I speak." This verse highlights a fundamental aspect of Christian witness: a transformed life is often the most compelling argument. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." The fruits of a changed life, rather than mere rhetoric, stand as undeniable proof against skepticism. It is a living, breathing testament, much like what Peter encourages believers to be in 1 Peter 3:15, always ready to give a reason for the hope they possess.
"Shut Me Out" by Kutless is an inspiring anthem for anyone committed to living and sharing their faith in a world that often resists it. It’s a vivid musical portrayal of spiritual courage, emphasizing that genuine conviction, born from a transformed life and a divine mandate, cannot be silenced. The song's enduring power lies in its frank acknowledgment of opposition, combined with an unyielding resolve to speak the truth, regardless of the cost. It encourages believers to stand firm, to embrace their calling to be a light, and to understand that their voice, when guided by truth, can never truly be shut out.