Everyone gets to speak. It is a cherished and valued part of our country. It has led to offense, anger, and division, and liberation, freedom, and love. We have a complicated history when it comes to free speech, but it is a rare gem that ought to be appreciated and protected.
That being said, there are a few caveats when it comes to free speech:
There are protections under the law. You can’t literally say anything. If you libel or incite violence, you can be sued or possibly prosecuted.
Free market ideology is also at play. Government is to make no law against free speech. However, your company doesn’t have to associate with you if your speech hurts the bottom line or business. Everyone gets to speak but there is no amendment about listening. So, if you can’t build an audience or maintain a following, your ability to speak to a large audience may be diminished.
For a Christian, there are a few spiritual tests to consider:
Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Test 1: Is what I’m saying helpful in building others up? As a Christian, who believes the Word became flesh according to my needs, I ought to care deeply about the needs of others. After all, Jesus cared about mine. One way I can do this is with my words. To encourage others and speak truth.
James 1: 19-20: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Test 2: Have I listened well? Many of the problems in our culture come from a failure to listen. Quick to listen is hard in this current climate. It demands I lay down my speaking rights for a time and listen to your thoughts and ideas and, in the process, we are both served well. I gain perspective and you have been heard.
Ephesians 4: 15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Test 3: Is what I’m saying lovingly true? Jesus balanced these two ideas perfectly, He spoke the truth in love. Truth without love is hard to hear. Love without truth doesn’t really change anything. In our speech, we need both.
A few things to consider:
Celebrate free speech: you don’t have to celebrate what is said, but take joy that you live in a country where everyone gets to speak. It is somewhat rare.
Avoid offense: in the first century, to be offended carried with it the idea of sin. I am so bothered by what you say that I hate you or need to destroy you. I sin. Jesus offended others but He was never offended. I would like to more like Jesus than the religious leaders in those stories. When I choose grace over anger, peace over war, and love over hate, I am most like Him.
Enjoy respectful dialogue: we are not required to love everything we hear. Free speech belongs to all of us. Form arguments, engage in debate, and articulate a point of view. Speak truth in grace.
That brings to my final point….above all, love well.
Encourage, Challenge, and Equip 