Free Speech?? | The Real John McClane Free Speech?? – The Real John McClane

Free Speech??

Categories: America, Christianity, Gossip, Media, Relationships

As one of the founding principles of our country, freedom of speech, to one degree or another, has always been ‘front and center’ in our national code and mode of behavior.

Because of this, America has been, for the most part, more open and transparent than many other nations of the world, where candor is not appreciated, nor condoned.

One of the recent downsides to our celebration of this freedom of speech, however, has been the unleashing of a torrent of expressions to do not build, edify, nor instruct. Literally, a lot of folk are saying things for the HELL of it – as hell is the origin of much of this oral rancor.

Can someone hearken back to the days of Ricki Lake, Jerry Springer, and Geraldo – as these ‘talk’ shows were seed-planters in the process of the bastardization of a generation of Americans?

Nowadays, can someone say ‘reality TV’? Many of these shows specialize in ‘drama’, gossip, and other forms of specious intrigue, in order to keep an immature audience hooked.

And now, with the proliferation of outlets via the internet, and some folk appointing themselves as ‘internet vigilantes’, the options for mindless drivel are endless…

Even in the church, too many of us have loose lips, that are being used by the enemy to sink OUR OWN SHIPS, and cause shipwreck in the lives of others. This is why, in Hebrews, chapter 12, God warns us about letting a root of bitterness growing in us, and many being defiled as a result…

Now, how are the ‘many’ going to be defiled? Because we ‘wagged’ our tongues TO MANY OTHERS about a person and/or situation that we need to pray about, not prey on…

Because, even in the church world, we have our own online versions of TMZ. And, if nothing else, we all too often deploy the ‘machine guns’ of our own mouths, and the ‘Uzi’s’ of our tongues…

Now, we may think that GOSSIP is one of the ‘little foxes’, and you know what the Bible says about those critters -that they SPOIL the vine, and GOSSIP has much more impact than you think.

Remember, in James we are told that the ‘little member’ of the tongue can be a fire, a WORLD of iniquity….

We have allowed this fire to spread like a western wildfire, as GOSSIP is prevalent in too many of our homes, businesses, and churches…

Please allow me to add the writings of a couple of witnesses…

(1) From David Wilkerson’s book – “The Vision”

From the section, ‘A GOSSIP WAR’

“I know now that Satan has declared war on every true minister of Jesus Christ. He will leave no stone unturned in an attempt to discredit and shipwreck every man of God who is determined to stay true.”

Mr. Wilkerson wrote this in 1974.

(2) From Francis Frangipane’s book – “Exposing the Accuser of the Brethren”

“In an attempt to hinder, if not altogether halt, the next move of God, Satan has sent forth an army of faultfinding demons against the church. The purpose of this assault is to entice the body of Christ away from the perfections of Jesus and onto the imperfections of one another.

Masquerading as discernment, this spirit will slip into our opinions of other people, leaving us critical and judgmental. Consequently, we all need to evaluate our attitude toward others. If our thoughts are other than faith working through love, we need to be aware that we may be under spiritual attack.

In most cases, the things they deem wrong or lacking are the very areas in which the Lord seeks to position them for intercession.

What might otherwise be an opportunity for spiritual growth and meeting a need becomes an occasion of stumbling and withdrawal. In truth, their criticisms are a smoke screen for a prayerless heart and an unwillingness to serve.

Mr. Frangipane wrote this is 1991.

In conclusion, a few scriptures that deal with the issue:

Ephesians 4:29 – “…Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth… but that which is good to the use of EDIFYING, that it may minister GRACE unto the hearers…”

Ephesians 4:31 – “Let ALL bitterness, and wrath, and clamour, and EVIL SPEAKING (including slander), be put away from you, with all MALICE…”

Titus 3:2 – “To slander or abuse no one, to be kind and conciliatory and gentle, showing unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone.”

2 Timothy 2:17 – “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto MORE UNGODLINESS…”

May God help us to use our liberty in America to speak words of wisdom and understanding, to build others up, not tear them down.

 

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