Free Speech

The essence of free speech (I think) is not in delivering a judgement but in inducing thought. We have been given guidelines for our actions yet we have the freedom to follow them or not. We have a choice.

Free speech is available to us as soon as we have learnt to talk. We can use it to abuse or build or break. We can use it to gossip, to judge to pull down or we can use it to create goodwill. We can also use it to vent anger.

Negative speech leads nowhere accept to bad feelings, as well as distance us from God, but positive speech can induce positive behaviors and thoughts in us and people around us.

Free speech is a gift from God, hence should not the primary goal be to glorify Him? Author Gales has written that on average a person speaks 860,341,500 words in his entire life. For some perspective, 860.3 million words are equivalent to 14 times the entire text of the complete 20-volume Oxford English!

If we measure how many words of this average, we have used to glorify God, and how many we have used to gossip or criticize various people in our lives, the answer will probably send us reeling with shock.

Our average life span is 2-3 billion seconds of which we spend about 1 third on speech. Of that less than 30 percent is spent on positive speech. Do the math and see how much time we spend to praise God versus the time we spend on negative speech.

The fact is too many of us, even well-intentioned believers, tend to ‘compartmentalize’ our waking hours into a few familiar categories: work, rest, play, family time, and worship. To do so is a mistake. Worship and praise should be woven into the fabric of everything we do; it should never be relegated to a weekly three- hour visit to church on Sunday morning.

A lot many, including me, forgo fellowship or church prayer times or bible studies all on account of “work” or simply being inconvenient. We miss these opportunities for positive thought, positive speech and positive behaviours. We need to realize, religion is not a convenience! It is solid hard work to be able to maximize our time with God, become so familiar that not hear Jesus say – I do not know you. We were warned about it when He said –

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Mutiny: The Professionals Bible

It is in the heart of man to rebel against authority. It started with Adam and Eve, continued during Moses's time continues today in offices, commercial organizations and even religious organizations including the Church.

The story of the rebellion of Korah is recorded in Numbers 16. The rebellion of Korah demonstrates the grim consequences of trying to challenge authority thereby challenging God and of those whom He has chosen to be leaders of His people.

Korah was the oldest son of Izhar, who was the son of Kothath of the tribe of Levi. Korah, then, was of the same tribe as Moses and Aaron. He led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of exalting themselves above the congregation of the Lord (Numbers 16:1-3). Korah was not alone in his charge. He gathered 250 other men to challenge Moses’ authority as well: “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3).

Obviously, Korah thought that he could do a better job leading the people than Moses was doing. But by leading this revolt against God’s divinely appointed leaders, Korah was actually revolting against God (Numbers 16:11).

In fact, this sin that they accused Moses of was, in reality, their own. Sadly, many are guilty of such self-deception and projection, even today. It is vital to realize that people often unknowingly judge others for the very sins that they themselves are committing. 

By the very act of rebellious talks, gossip, grumbling, or acts or thoughts, against authority we position ourselves in judgement over a leader, pastor, manager, parents... little realizing that that authority was God given. 

If the authority is misused or completely fails, it is Gods to take away and bestow it on a deserving person, just as He did with Saul and David. If we genuinely feel we are qualified for that role, pray and ask God. If we are in His sight, He will have already given it.

But what are we to do if we honestly and truly feel we have been wronged by someone in authority? We must have the courage to Pray about it, then go to him or her and talk about it calmly, with reason. Leave the rest to God. 

But on no account should we become cribbers and potential mutineers who complain, plot and plan in the dark. It is as good or bad as a mutiny!

Numbers 16:11 It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”