FREE SPEECH, REALLY?

Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

We're hearing a lot about free speech these days. Our forefathers , the originators of our Constitution would probably be shocked at the attention free speech is getting in our day. Perhaps they would be more embarrassed than shocked seeing the spectacles people have made of themselves over the subject. Most Americans at this point I believe are willed with pure disgust as we view rebellious college students, professors, various demonstration groups and now the infection into the professional sports arena with all the verbal rampages and uncalled for behavior. As disgusted as it makes me, my thoughts go to the millions of children and teenagers who have such an admiration for these over-paid spoiled adult brats and what those children are learning from supposed heroes.

Perhaps others I know have had the same experience as I have had through the years. In the jobs I held over the span of 50 years, I never had a job where I had freedom of speech. If I had even uttered disgust at anything or made threats in a rebellious way, I would have been out the door, looking for another job. The simple fact is, we don't always have freedom of speech anywhere in America. There are places where authority takes charge whether we like it or not. One football team over a year ago, allowed a rebellious punk player kneel during our national anthem and did nothing about it. Look where we are now. Rebellion and rotten attitudes don't stop on their own. If not brought under some control, there is chaos. Most athletes taking their stand (or their kneel) don't even know why they are doing such other than because of peer pressure.

The simple thing to consider is that our speech of any kind whether in words or action come as a result of what is inside of us. Good people don't behave like so much of what we are seeing in our streets or athletic arenas. We are consistently be reminded of the need of Jesus in the lives of all people no matter their occupation, lifestyle, identity crisis, race or personal beliefs. Jesus is the only answer to anyone's attitude and resulting speech problem.

We Christians are admonished by Paul in our opening verse as to what our speech is to be and he leaves no doubt about it. In other places in the New Testament we are told how to speak in ways that honors the Lord. Even in Scripture, we are instructed as to how we are to conduct ourselves verbally.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” I Corinthians 3:7

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members of one another.” Ephesians 4:25

“....as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Philippians :14b

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

The list from Scripture is impossibly long in dealing with speech. By the way, we are free to speak in the ways the above verses list. Even in some areas of religious speech, we have to be wise and discerning should it look like we are trying to force our faith on someone else. One of the most important ways we can speak on behalf of others and our own is through the power of prayer. There's no speech like it and always lovingly received by our Father.

I have full confidence the Holy Spirit will lead a Christian in ways of speaking and acting out before others. However, He will begin in our hearts to change us in every way including the way we treat others. As people follow Him lovingly and consistently, God will change any person's attitudes for good and for His glory.

Beware...as easy as it is to sit in judgment right now of some behaviors that are really irritating to us, we should examine our own attitudes that may need God's hand of forgiveness in our own lives. He stands ready to forgive instantly when we go to Him in repentance.

Father...things in our culture are such a mess right now and so disturbing. Whoever is involved in it all is still loved by you and I pray for them that they will somehow be drawn to You. Forgive my attitudes and times I speak in ways that don't honor You. I love You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

FREE SPEECH, REALLY?
Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

We're hearing a lot about free speech these days. Our forefathers , the originators of our Constitution would probably be shocked at the attention free speech is getting in our day. Perhaps they would be more embarrassed than shocked seeing the spectacles people have made of themselves over the subject. Most Americans at this point I believe are willed with pure disgust as we view rebellious college students, professors, various demonstration groups and now the infection into the professional sports arena with all the verbal rampages and uncalled for behavior. As disgusted as it makes me, my thoughts go to the millions of children and teenagers who have such an admiration for these over-paid spoiled adult brats and what those children are learning from supposed heroes.

Perhaps others I know have had the same experience as I have had through the years. In the jobs I held over the span of 50 years, I never had a job where I had freedom of speech. If I had even uttered disgust at anything or made threats in a rebellious way, I would have been out the door, looking for another job. The simple fact is, we don't always have freedom of speech anywhere in America. There are places where authority takes charge whether we like it or not. One football team over a year ago, allowed a rebellious punk player kneel during our national anthem and did nothing about it. Look where we are now. Rebellion and rotten attitudes don't stop on their own. If not brought under some control, there is chaos. Most athletes taking their stand (or their kneel) don't even know why they are doing such other than because of peer pressure.

The simple thing to consider is that our speech of any kind whether in words or action come as a result of what is inside of us. Good people don't behave like so much of what we are seeing in our streets or athletic arenas. We are consistently be reminded of the need of Jesus in the lives of all people no matter their occupation, lifestyle, identity crisis, race or personal beliefs. Jesus is the only answer to anyone's attitude and resulting speech problem.

We Christians are admonished by Paul in our opening verse as to what our speech is to be and he leaves no doubt about it. In other places in the New Testament we are told how to speak in ways that honors the Lord. Even in Scripture, we are instructed as to how we are to conduct ourselves verbally.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” I Corinthians 3:7

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members of one another.” Ephesians 4:25

“....as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Philippians :14b

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

The list from Scripture is impossibly long in dealing with speech. By the way, we are free to speak in the ways the above verses list. Even in some areas of religious speech, we have to be wise and discerning should it look like we are trying to force our faith on someone else. One of the most important ways we can speak on behalf of others and our own is through the power of prayer. There's no speech like it and always lovingly received by our Father.

I have full confidence the Holy Spirit will lead a Christian in ways of speaking and acting out before others. However, He will begin in our hearts to change us in every way including the way we treat others. As people follow Him lovingly and consistently, God will change any person's attitudes for good and for His glory.

Beware...as easy as it is to sit in judgment right now of some behaviors that are really irritating to us, we should examine our own attitudes that may need God's hand of forgiveness in our own lives. He stands ready to forgive instantly when we go to Him in repentance.

Father...things in our culture are such a mess right now and so disturbing. Whoever is involved in it all is still loved by you and I pray for them that they will somehow be drawn to You. Forgive my attitudes and times I speak in ways that don't honor You. I love You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen