Is Free Speech Dead?
We have always asked the question: Is freedom of speech a real thing? Do we, as Americans, have the ability to say whatever we want, however we want? The short answer is yes, you can say whatever you want. But that freedom does not come without consequence, whether good or bad. The results of our words can be as simple as hurting someone’s feelings, or as tragic as leading to the loss of a life. On the other hand, our words can also unite in times of sorrow, guide others through darkness, and bring knowledge to the uninformed.
The Bible doesn’t use the modern phrase “free speech,” but it speaks clearly about how we use our words, what should and should not be spoken, and the responsibility that comes with speech. It balances freedom of expression with accountability, truth, and wisdom.
Proverbs 18:21 reminds us: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Our tongue is the most powerful tool God has given us. With it, we can either build up or tear down, give life or bring death.
Jesus also warned in Matthew 12:36–37: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We just read in Proverbs that death and life are in the power of our tongue. Now in Matthew, it tells us that our words come with eternal accountability. Even after death, you will be judged by your words. That is how powerful words are. They will echo for eternity!
In recent days, I am sure you have seen an enormous amount of people being persecuted for their words, both written and spoken. I am talking about the hordes of people being terminated from their jobs for condoning the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Let me be perfectly clear: Charlie Kirk is a hero! Anyone that condones the violence we saw on September 10th should have negative consequence. This goes back to the whole premise of what God says about your responsibility to your speech.
Ephesians 4:29 says to us, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Those speaking obscenities about Charlie Kirk and condoning his death are not giving grace to those who hear.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.”
Do you think it is coincidence, or do you think there is merit to putting religion at the top of the list in the First Amendment? If you think about how God says we should speak, I think it was forward-thinking of our founding fathers to put religion at the top of the list, especially when coupled with free speech. God teaches us what should and should not be spoken. If we first learn how to speak, we then can speak freely. Makes sense to me.
As an American, you do have the right to free speech. You do not have the right to incite lawlessness, threaten, defame, speak obscenities, or speak fraudulently. Is this now making more and more sense? Again, God tells us what should and should not be spoken. He teaches us how to speak with love, grace, and truth. All things that are protected by your right to speech. But what is not protected is how God does not want us to speak. Pause and let that resonate for a minute.
These people that are speaking ill about Charlie are not speaking the way God intended. Therefore, their speech is not protected. That is a wild concept for some to understand. For others, like myself, it makes complete sense. On a note unrelated to religion, imagine you are a business owner. You rely on customers to put food on your table, gas in your car, clothes on your back, etc. You have an employee, or employees, whose speech is inciting lawlessness, threatening, defaming, or filled with obscenities. That employee, whether they are conscious of it or not, is a reflection of your business. I would not want an employee that reflects my business as such. And as a private business owner, you are entitled to take action, including termination of employment. That may come across to some as an infringement of your First Amendment right, but is it really? I don’t think so, nor does Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
In the end, free speech is both a constitutional right and a spiritual responsibility. As Americans, we are blessed to have the freedom to speak, but as Christians, we must remember that God holds us accountable for every word we utter. Our words have the power to create or destroy, to give life or deal death, to honor God or dishonor Him. The assassination of Charlie Kirk and the reactions that followed remind us that speech has consequences, serious ones. Let us use our voices not for corruption or violence, but for truth, love, and grace. When our words reflect God’s will, we honor both our freedoms as citizens and our higher calling as followers of Christ.