What the Bible Says About “Free Speech”

Due to recent events in the past month, the topic of free speech has been passionately debated. Some have tried to override citizens’ rights by cancelling or silencing them simply because they disagree with them. Others have fought against such injustices by reinforcing the fact that they can say “whatever the heck they want” because that’s what free speech means.

In an increasingly loud culture, Christians’ primary concerns ought not to be what the political or moral “right” or “left” stand for. While it is important to support and stand for what is right, our main concern must be following the Word of God – the ultimate authority and the highest standard of all.

What Does the Bible Say About Our Speech?

Let’s take a look.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” -Ephesians 4:29, 31, 32

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” -Colossians 4:6

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” -Psalm 34:13

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” Colossians 3:8-9

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

-Psalm 141:3

“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” -James 3:10

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” -Proverbs 15:1

What Standard Do You Follow?

The Bible is the ultimate truth, the ultimate standard for living because it is the very word of the almighty, holy God. Therefore, we should follow and obey it above everything else: above what we say, above what our friends and peers say, above what politicians or influencers say, and above what documents that grant us our rights say.

Here in Canada, we are blessed with many freedoms that I fervently pray we never lose. (Let me interrupt myself and ask that you pray for this as well, whether that is for Canada or the country you live in.) Among these freedoms, as listed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which recognizes “the supremacy of God and the rule of law,” is the freedom of expression. This includes the freedom of speech. I thank God for this and that we can proudly call our sovereign nation “the true North strong and free.”

The point of one’s freedom of speech is to allow one the basic right of saying whatever they wish to say without fear of consequence. Unfortunately, some have gone so far as to promote "hate speech", lies, misinformation, insults, and bigoted and prejudiced speech, and other speech that hurts and tears others down. Nevertheless, it is still included in “free speech” or "free expression."

Remnant, this may be our acceptable rights under the country (or countries) we live in. But as Christians, we are called to a far higher standard than the word of any human, the rule of any law, or the right given to us by any country. That standard is the Bible.

As shown by the many verses above, we are called to control our speech. To let our speech always be with grace. To speak the truth in love and encouraging words. To make and pursue peace with others as far as it depends on us. This higher standard by which we live does not promote blurting out whatever crosses our minds, especially what is harmful or disrespectful to others, under the banner of “free speech.”

To paraphrase the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:23, just because something is lawful or permissible for you to do does not mean that you should do it or that it is beneficial.

I plead with you, dear reader, to carefully and prayerfully consider what the Bible says about our speech. Though the rest of our culture is fighting for and against the basic right of free expression, we must always remember that thought it is a basic right for a free country, we Christians are called to control our speech, speak kindly and respectfully, and speak the truth in love.

Our identity as Christ-followers is in Christ first and foremost. Not in our nationality. Not in our rights and freedoms. Not in our idea of the truth. Solely and entirely in Christ. Placing our identity in anything other than Him is not only sinking sand, but also blatant idolatry because it gives more honour to something than the worthy King of Kings.

Friends, let us not be afraid to speak the truth in a world that fights so passionately against it, but let us do so bearing in mind that we are first representing Jesus. Let us know deeply the truth of God’s Word so we won’t get caught up in the identity crisis and idolatry so many Christians are sadly falling into in our modern culture. Let us follow the example Jesus set for us and the highest standard of all – the Word of God – as closely, respectfully, and uncompromisingly as possible.

Let’s do it together.

-Olivia

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