Freedom of Speech- II
Art Linkletter was a genius. Ask a child a question and the entertainment begins, because “kids say the darndest things.”
What would you do if you were President? – Keep my mouth shut.
How does your favorite Bible story start? - Humpty, Dumpty…
To the child who wanted to be a pilot- What would you do if all the engines on your
plane stopped? - The child bowed his head and said: “Our Father who art in
heaven…
What’s the best thing about growing up? - I want to be tall enough to reach the good
stuff.
What do you say when mom tells you to be quiet? - My mouth can’t shut up!
These are delightfully mild versions of what many of us have experienced from our children. One of the greatest horrors of a parent is when we hear our words coming out of our child’s mouth. Those often-humorous moments remind us of a more serious reality- words have power.
By speech, God brought the world into being, and by speech, Eve and then Adam were tempted to break covenant with God. By speech, the Word we know as Jesus called us into relationship with the Father, and by speech Jesus was condemned to death. Words can build up and inspire, but words can also tear down and destroy. With a word, God brought light into the world. With a shout, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The writer of James in the New Testament cautions us about the power of our words. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” -(James 3:9) James describes the tongue as a tiny rudder powerful enough to steer a large ship, and as a spark that can set a forest on fire. He offers a rather pessimistic conclusion: “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Words have power.
In last week’s letter, I explored the freedom of speech embedded in the Bill of Rights. Considering James’ assessment of the dangers of the tongue, freedom of speech seems like a rather reckless right to give to the general public. Yet, we discovered that the five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment are intricately related. The freedom to speak, write and assemble are essential for our freedom to worship and believe. We must protect each right to safeguard the others. Our rule of law recognizes necessary limits to our freedom of expression- we can protest, but we cannot lawfully set cars on fire. We can challenge the government, but we must not incite violence. We can even lie, but if we lie, we can be held liable for defamation. These limits help protect a civil society and provide guardrails for civil discourse, but these limits must not be used as excuse for silencing voices in our society. We must defend our First Amendment rights.
Yet, we are more than just Americans, governed by a constitution and the rule of law. We claim another Lord, whose rule supersedes any human governance. Jesus calls those who claim His name to a higher standard in speech and action. As a Christian, it is impossible to talk about the freedom of speech without recognizing the responsibility that goes with that God-given right. St. Paul acknowledged his responsibility to use his pen and voice in a Christ-like manner. He wrote to the Thessalonians: “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”- (I Thes. 2:4) Consider God’s word that tests our hearts and governs our speech:
Jesus reminds us: “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”- Matthew 15:11
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
The description of a godly woman should chasten us all: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”- Proverbs 31:26
“Speak the truth in love.”- Ephesians 4:15
Lest such admonition silence our voice for fear of speaking out of turn, God reminds us that He gives us a voice for a purpose. The prophet Ezekiel served during a time not unlike our own. Ezekiel 22 should inspire the fear of God in our hearts. In that chapter, the prophet tells us that God looked for “one who would stand in the gap on behalf of the land.” Who will speak on behalf of my people? - God asks. Then God concludes: “But I found no one, so I destroyed the land.”- (Ezekiel 22:30). In Proverbs 31:8, God commands: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” God is calling His people to speak, not to protect me and mine, but for the sake of those who have no voice. Jesus reminds us that whatever we do, and whatever we do not do for the least of these, we do for Jesus. (Matt. 25) May He find us using our freedom of speech for the good of others and for His glory.
With you learning to speak the truth in love,
Anita
What would you do if you were President? – Keep my mouth shut.
How does your favorite Bible story start? - Humpty, Dumpty…
To the child who wanted to be a pilot- What would you do if all the engines on your
plane stopped? - The child bowed his head and said: “Our Father who art in
heaven…
What’s the best thing about growing up? - I want to be tall enough to reach the good
stuff.
What do you say when mom tells you to be quiet? - My mouth can’t shut up!
These are delightfully mild versions of what many of us have experienced from our children. One of the greatest horrors of a parent is when we hear our words coming out of our child’s mouth. Those often-humorous moments remind us of a more serious reality- words have power.
By speech, God brought the world into being, and by speech, Eve and then Adam were tempted to break covenant with God. By speech, the Word we know as Jesus called us into relationship with the Father, and by speech Jesus was condemned to death. Words can build up and inspire, but words can also tear down and destroy. With a word, God brought light into the world. With a shout, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The writer of James in the New Testament cautions us about the power of our words. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” -(James 3:9) James describes the tongue as a tiny rudder powerful enough to steer a large ship, and as a spark that can set a forest on fire. He offers a rather pessimistic conclusion: “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Words have power.
In last week’s letter, I explored the freedom of speech embedded in the Bill of Rights. Considering James’ assessment of the dangers of the tongue, freedom of speech seems like a rather reckless right to give to the general public. Yet, we discovered that the five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment are intricately related. The freedom to speak, write and assemble are essential for our freedom to worship and believe. We must protect each right to safeguard the others. Our rule of law recognizes necessary limits to our freedom of expression- we can protest, but we cannot lawfully set cars on fire. We can challenge the government, but we must not incite violence. We can even lie, but if we lie, we can be held liable for defamation. These limits help protect a civil society and provide guardrails for civil discourse, but these limits must not be used as excuse for silencing voices in our society. We must defend our First Amendment rights.
Yet, we are more than just Americans, governed by a constitution and the rule of law. We claim another Lord, whose rule supersedes any human governance. Jesus calls those who claim His name to a higher standard in speech and action. As a Christian, it is impossible to talk about the freedom of speech without recognizing the responsibility that goes with that God-given right. St. Paul acknowledged his responsibility to use his pen and voice in a Christ-like manner. He wrote to the Thessalonians: “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”- (I Thes. 2:4) Consider God’s word that tests our hearts and governs our speech:
Jesus reminds us: “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”- Matthew 15:11
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
The description of a godly woman should chasten us all: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”- Proverbs 31:26
“Speak the truth in love.”- Ephesians 4:15
Lest such admonition silence our voice for fear of speaking out of turn, God reminds us that He gives us a voice for a purpose. The prophet Ezekiel served during a time not unlike our own. Ezekiel 22 should inspire the fear of God in our hearts. In that chapter, the prophet tells us that God looked for “one who would stand in the gap on behalf of the land.” Who will speak on behalf of my people? - God asks. Then God concludes: “But I found no one, so I destroyed the land.”- (Ezekiel 22:30). In Proverbs 31:8, God commands: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” God is calling His people to speak, not to protect me and mine, but for the sake of those who have no voice. Jesus reminds us that whatever we do, and whatever we do not do for the least of these, we do for Jesus. (Matt. 25) May He find us using our freedom of speech for the good of others and for His glory.
With you learning to speak the truth in love,
Anita
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