As an American citizen, I have the right (well on paper), to
free speech. It is the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and was
adopted on December 15, 1791 as one of the ten amendments that constitute our
Bill of Rights.
Over the years the courts have struggled with what exactly
did our fore fathers have in mind when they came up with this? Does it give us
the right to call people degrading names, such as nigger and faggots? Does
freedom of speech allow us to burn the US flag without consequences? Does it
give the KKK (Klu Klux Klan), the right to hold a rally outside a Christian
church or Jewish Synagogue and spew words of hate? Here’s a link telling you
what the courts have to say about what we can and cannot do today. (What
Freedom of Speech means?)
Truth is, the government cannot really govern everything people say publicly and do without loopholes popping up consistently—but God has!
In the Western world women can speak up for themselves, speak
out against injustice and throw our opinions out there anytime we feel like it.
But God has a different set of rules for us. And it is my opinion that
the more social media grows and we partake of it, the more we are forgetting what the Bible has to
say concerning our speech.
Let me give you an example, namely Facebook. I have FB
friends who I never hear from until they decide they want to correct me or
someone who has made a comment on one of my post. They have the freedom to do
this because I have allowed them to post comments, but are they right according
to God’s way of doing things?
No, they are not.
There are a few reasons why not. For one, their motivation
isn’t pure or of good intent. Second, they don’t know the people they are
addressing (at all), and therefore more than likely are offensive to them. Plus
one must question why is it they never post on the good news, but only show up
with an opposing opinion or correction?
And social media isn’t the only place we are out of order.
We often have a misplaced use of our free speech with our family, friends,
coworkers, neighbors, spouses and church members. We exercise voicing our
opinions daily. We love telling it like it is, gossiping and being critical
under the guise of our right to free speech.
But God has a set of rules governed by love, as to how we
are to exercise our right to free speech. And it looks nothing like the First
Amendment.
Lately, I’ve been keenly aware (even when there is no intent
to harm), of how words are stealers, hurtful and discouraging. And especially when
it stems from an opinion, which to me—is the queen mother of freedom of speech!
James tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Well, that definitely puts a restriction on loosely voicing our opinions. And since
we are to speak the truth in love and in due season (right timing), and
encourage one another—this only backs up the slow to speak rule.
As a mother I have a lot of opinions when it comes to my
children and my grandchildren, but I’m learning it’s better to keep them to
myself. It’s easier with my older daughter versus than with my 23 year old. But
the Lord is helping me to see there needs to be some change on my part.
Does it annoy you when folks do
nothing but talk about themselves and their family, hogging the conversation? What about when you’re really excited about something new in
your life and they over talk you and start telling what you need to do? (This
used to make me doubt if I heard from God or question, why is it that this
person can’t seem to give me credit for having a mind of my own?) I think we all
have people in our lives that are focused on themselves and those who in many
ways have very strong opinions—right or wrong.
Well, I have a news
flash—we are all guilty! LOL! Yup!
The Holy Spirit is showing me, I do the
same thing I really don’t like, to my youngest daughter. I’m not necessarily
being quick to listen and let her finish and slow in voicing my opinion.
She has even said to me, “I just wanted to bounce this off you, not you tell me
what to do?” Ouch!
Proverbs 18:13, says….
- What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts! (TLB)
- Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. (MSG)
- He who answers before he hears [the facts]—it is folly and shame to him. (AMP)
- To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing. (CJB)
Our freedoms in the Kingdom of God are governed by rules,
regulations, restrictions and commands. God’s freedom of speech, does not allow
us to use our words according to our will and pleasure—but to glorify Him.
As a wife, do you nag your husband? Do you nag your kids?
Are you one who always hogs the conversation without time or concern for the
other person? Have you ever cut someone off to throw your two cents in before
hearing all they had to say? Does your freedom of speech stick a pin in the
bubbles of others? Do your words steal the joy or hope from people? Do you feel that because you know
a person, you have the right to say anything you want—when you
want? Do you use your speech to lift up or tear down?
Sisters, what man says is freedom of speech has nothing to
do with how God says, we are to use our speech.
There is one more important thing I want to say about all this, and
that is—we need to do more talking to God about things and not other people.
We
need to get His approval and then move forward. It’s sad to say, but everyone is not
going to be happy for you or agree with you—even if they love you. This is the
lesson, I am still working on. Getting my marching orders and moving forward, without discussing it with others.
And I’m also working on praying before I call people or even
answer the phone. Why? For one, I want to be that listening ear and the
encourager I’ve been called to be. So, even if I call them to maybe talk but
they consume the conversation—I don’t want to become frustrated. I want to be
able to listen. And when I really need an ear, I pray God shows me who.
True freedom of speech
knows when to be quiet. It will not point out the flaws of others and is not critical.
It does not have to defend itself for speaking out of turn and causing
confusion and hurt feelings.
Taking time to hear others out, and letting our words marinate
before disbursing them, can save us from much heartache. In other words, to be
slow to speak is wonderful godly advice!
Quick bible study for you gals…read one chapter a day in the
book of Proverbs, using The Living bible (TLB) translation. Highlight everything that jumps out at you
concerning, your tongue, speech, talking, words, conversations…etc! And at the
end of the 31 days when you have completed the book, go back over the verses you
have marked. You will be greatly surprised at what you see, and what you need
to work on. Amen!
Until next week...
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