FREEDOM OF SPEECH should matter!
In America we have this little thing our founding fathers thought important that government protect for its citizens. The Bill of Rights. One such right is the freedom of speech. Far from its original intent, I think, our citizens have enjoyed marching down Main Streets USA to promote all kinds of causes, viewpoints and agendas. The ACLU defends such groups as Nazis to flaunt their hatred for Jews in Skokie, Illinois and Gay Pride in suburban Florida.
Unlike in Iraq before the fall of Saddam, and North Korea, Americans don’t lose their heads nor are imprisoned for defaming their President or throwing pies at Ann Coulter. It seems few rules exist. Anything goes.
HOWEVER,…For Christians (followers of Jesus, believers in God’s Holy Word), the “freedom of speech” comes with a few rules.
1) “ …let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For a man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].” James 1:19-20 AV--Amplified version.
2) “So speak and so act [as people should] who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” James 2:12 AV.
3) “Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and curse. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.” James 3:10 AV
A multitude of scripture speaks to the taming of the tongue, actions and attitudes which are revealed from words one speaks. Unfortunately the passage that brings the greatest discouragement to me is in James 3:8-9. “…the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is (undisciplined, irreconcilable) restless evil, full of death-bringing poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!”
SO WHERE IS THE HOPE?
HOW CAN WE PERFECT THAT WHICH IS IMPERFECT?
We can’t. Only God can. Only Christ can fix the unfixable. Only Jesus can bring forth fruit from branches all but withered by neglecting to abide in the Vine. It’s our responsibility to “renew our minds”, “put on the full armor of God” and “be kind one to another”.
Oh, Jesus, only begotten Son of the Living Creator God, bring forth the fruit of Your Spirit from the tongues, fingers, minds and hearts of man. You, Jesus, who overcame tortuous death to attone for man’s sin and rose again to go and prepare our undeserved mansions, please bring your rushing wind into the hearts of all your followers. Call forth, oh Sovereign, your Bride to bathe herself in your Word and examine Herself in light of Your Words. Be glorified, dear Jesus.
For that is what matters eternally, isn't it? (copyrighted 10,19, 2006)
In America we have this little thing our founding fathers thought important that government protect for its citizens. The Bill of Rights. One such right is the freedom of speech. Far from its original intent, I think, our citizens have enjoyed marching down Main Streets USA to promote all kinds of causes, viewpoints and agendas. The ACLU defends such groups as Nazis to flaunt their hatred for Jews in Skokie, Illinois and Gay Pride in suburban Florida.
Unlike in Iraq before the fall of Saddam, and North Korea, Americans don’t lose their heads nor are imprisoned for defaming their President or throwing pies at Ann Coulter. It seems few rules exist. Anything goes.
HOWEVER,…For Christians (followers of Jesus, believers in God’s Holy Word), the “freedom of speech” comes with a few rules.
1) “ …let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For a man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].” James 1:19-20 AV--Amplified version.
2) “So speak and so act [as people should] who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” James 2:12 AV.
3) “Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and curse. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.” James 3:10 AV
A multitude of scripture speaks to the taming of the tongue, actions and attitudes which are revealed from words one speaks. Unfortunately the passage that brings the greatest discouragement to me is in James 3:8-9. “…the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is (undisciplined, irreconcilable) restless evil, full of death-bringing poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!”
SO WHERE IS THE HOPE?
HOW CAN WE PERFECT THAT WHICH IS IMPERFECT?
We can’t. Only God can. Only Christ can fix the unfixable. Only Jesus can bring forth fruit from branches all but withered by neglecting to abide in the Vine. It’s our responsibility to “renew our minds”, “put on the full armor of God” and “be kind one to another”.
Oh, Jesus, only begotten Son of the Living Creator God, bring forth the fruit of Your Spirit from the tongues, fingers, minds and hearts of man. You, Jesus, who overcame tortuous death to attone for man’s sin and rose again to go and prepare our undeserved mansions, please bring your rushing wind into the hearts of all your followers. Call forth, oh Sovereign, your Bride to bathe herself in your Word and examine Herself in light of Your Words. Be glorified, dear Jesus.
For that is what matters eternally, isn't it? (copyrighted 10,19, 2006)
posted by SelahV at 12:25 PM
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