Right or Wrong? Watching our tongues

Some people say “freedom of speech” gives them the right to say whatever they want, including words that hurt other church members. What are the biblical guidelines for watching our tongues? And how can we balance Christ-like behavior and free speech?

We all remember well the first time we heard “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Anyone who is serious about following Christ faithfully and loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength is likely to have strong beliefs. Since childhood, many of us have been reminded we must be ready to defend those beliefs. And gratefully, we live in a country that celebrates the freedom to speak up without fear of consequence from the government.

Thanks to the Internet, text messaging and tweets, we also live in a day when we can speak up without having to look someone in the eye. This can lead us to believe we can use our freedom of speech without any consequence, because we can’t see the emotional and social repercussions of our sharp tone or strong words. Unfortunately, we live in a world where words, written and spoken, do injure.

A model from the New Testament

So, what are we to do with our strong beliefs and our freedom of speech? We have a model from the “great cloud of witnesses” that gives us an idea of how to proceed. In Acts 15, the early church encountered one of its first real dilemmas, and strong opinions were abundant. One group boldly insisted believers needed to be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed, and we are told they entered into “sharp dispute and debate with them” (Acts 15:2).

Clearly, brotherly love did not cause Paul and Barnabas to remain silent. However, they did create a process for working through their disagreements. The apostles met for “much discussion” and listened to both sides of the argument. They looked for signs of the Holy Spirit’s work and what that might tell them about how to proceed. Once they reached a conclusion, they wrote down their decision with kind and conciliatory language and sent representatives with their letter to speak face-to-face with those who still might have questions or be concerned.

Conversation full of grace

This chapter helps provide us with a model when believers don’t always agree. We do speak up about our concerns and beliefs, but we also listen. Colossians 4:6 also encourages, “let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” We ought always be prepared to answer, but our conversations ought always to be full of grace.

This means we consider with humility that we are fallible and our conclusion might be wrong. We also assume the best intentions in our brother or sister, even if we happen to disagree. If we speak up with humility and grace, we freely exercise our free speech while ensuring our conversations exhibit the love for one another Scripture says should characterize Christ-followers.

Emily Row Prevost, director of leadership development

East Texas Baptist University

Marshall

Right or Wrong? is co-sponsored by the Texas Baptist theological education office and Christian Life Commission. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to [email protected].