We Have No Right to Free Speech
Between the First Amendment and social media, Christians are more free and more able to speak than ever. In one sense, this is wonderful. We are free to preach the gospel without violent persecution and through more mediums than ever. Yet, I believe there is a subtle temptation to think that legal freedom and access to social platforms means that Christians can say whatever they want, whenever they want.
But in reality, Christians have no right to free speech.
In this article, I want to support that claim with two headings:
1. What the Bible Says About Speech in General
2. Four Tests to answer the question: “Should I Say This?”
What Does the Bible Say About Speech in General?
If you are serious about killing sin in your life, the easiest step to take toward that end is to talk less. I am aware that there may be exceptions to this advice, but even Scripture warns that sin follows excessive talking.
Proverbs 10:19 says, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
The first half of this verse implies that constant, unguarded talking makes sin “unavoidable.” What a strong word! But I’m sure we’ve all seen this verse become reality. Conversations and comment sections that go unchecked frequently lead to gossip, grumbling, sinful speculation, and other sins that would otherwise be avoided.
The second half of the verse contrasts the one who “restrains his lips” with the “many words” of the first half. The former inevitably leads to sin, but the latter is a mark of wisdom. Proverbs 17:27 adds, “He who restrains his words has knowledge.” The one who shows restraint with his speech “is wise” and “has knowledge.” On the other end of the spectrum, Proverbs 29:20 says, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” The one who speaks without caution is even worse than a fool.
So, next time you’re in one of those conversations of “many words” that make transgression unavoidable, consider holding back instead of jumping in. Better yet, stop sub-tweeting and arguing in comment sections whenever possible! Don’t be like a fool who speaks hastily; be like the wise man who shows restraint.
Moving to the New Testament, James wrote one of the most famous verses on this subject. James 1:19 says, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”
“Quick to hear” most naturally refers to the Word of God in this context. Just after this verse, James writes about the importance of both hearing and doing the word (1:22–23).
“Slow to speak” is a simple enough command. When you go to speak, just don’t…yet. First, listen carefully; then speak with extreme care. John MacArthur writes,
When the appropriate time to speak does come, what is said should be carefully thought out. When we speak for the Lord, we should have the gravest concern that what we say not only is true but is spoken in a way that both edifies those who hear and honors the Lord in whose behalf we speak.[1]
In chapter 3, James expands this thought significantly.
He begins chapter 3 with a warning that not many Christians should become teachers. His reasoning is that teachers will “incur a stricter judgement” (3:1). And what is it they will be judged for? James’ concern was not over sexual or financial scandal, as we typically expect today, but over verbal scandal.
He explains this warning saying, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body as well” (3:2). His focus in addressing leaders was the difficulty and danger of restraining the tongue. He dedicates over half the chapter to speak to them about this issue (3:2–12).
Where Solomon commends restraint, James commands caution. In light of the command to show restraint when speaking, I want to offer four tests we can use as a filter for our speech.
Four Tests for All Speech
From those two verses in Proverbs and a quick look at James, it is clear that we should be saying less in general. If we are to be wise, we are to hold our tongues more often. But this raises the question, “When should we talk?” Fortunately, Scripture answers this question for us.
1. Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
For the sake of space, only a few comments can be made on this verse. First of all, notice that Paul begins with prohibition. Just like Solomon and James, Paul begins by highlighting restraint. He begins with the prohibition against unwholesome speech. Second, after the prohibition he says to “only” speak in an edifying way. This is extremely limiting language. It means that every single word Christians speak should be edifying, timely, and gracious to the hearer—without exception! This verse alone severely restricts what Christians ought to say.
2. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
In Ephesians Paul said “only.” Now in Colossians he says “always.” There should never be a time when Christians speak without grace. The reference to salt is meant to convey that our speech should be pure and clean.
It’s also worth noting that Paul has interactions with unbelievers in mind here. In the verse before this, he writes, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity” (4:5). So, blasting people in drive-by Tweetings is almost entirely out of the question.
3. Matthew 12:36 says, “I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgement.”
This is one of those verses that put the fear of God into me as a young believer. And it still does. The application of this verse for believers is not that we should try to earn our justification through speech, but the principle is clear: every word we speak is present before God. Regardless of whether or not you carefully consider every word that leaves your mouth, God does. This fact should help us practice restraint in our speech.
4. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This verse is somewhat of a catchall for the Christian life. Every single word that we speak should glorify God. As with the other verses presented here, simply applying this one verse to our speech would dramatically limit what we say.
So before you go to dunk on that idiotic comment, post that status, or text back your friend in a private conversation, consider these four questions:
1. Are these words edifying, timely, and gracious to the hearer? (Eph. 4:29)
2. Are these words gracious and seasoned with salt? (Col. 4:6)
3. Do I want these words recorded before God? (Matt. 12:26)
4. Do these words glorify God? (1 Cor. 10:31)
“Regardless of whether or not you carefully consider every word that leaves your mouth, God does.”
When we run our speech through these tests, many of the words we typically let slip through carelessly will be stopped at the gate. The result is that we sin less and honor Christ more.
Conclusion
Just because we are legally protected and freely given social platforms doesn’t mean we are free to say whatever we please. As believers, we must fight the temptation to think otherwise. Kevin DeYoung helpfully writes,
The biggest deception of our digital age may be the lie that says we can be omni-competent, omni-informed, and omni-present. We cannot be any of these things. We must choose our absence, our inability, and our ignorance—and choose wisely. The sooner we embrace this finitude, the sooner we can be free.[2]
We don’t need to join every public argument, speak on every issue as it arises, or even take every opportunity we have to speak. Christians should avoid talking because they can and stick to talking when they should.
We have no right to dishonor Christ with our words. We have no right to free speech.
References:
[1] John MacArthur, James. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 70.
[2] Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), 87–88.