Freedom of Speech or Blasphemy?

I've been hearing a lot recently about how people are free to say whatever they want. "After all," they say, "I have freedom of speech! That gives me the right to say whatever I want." Often, in their flawed logic, they presuppose that what they say has no consequences whatsoever. As if there exists somewhere in the world a right without a corresponding responsibility.

However, even if a person has the right to do something, it doesn't necessarily follow that they should do that thing. Matthew 12:36-37 tells us that "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."

This is a pretty powerful statement.

Jesus indicates that words, even carelessly spoken words, are eternally important. In the Bible, verbal sins such as lies, gossip or insults are condemned as severely as adultery and murder.

James tells us in 3:6 that "The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body..." Evil speech (including blasphemy, gossip, slander, lying, false vows and the like) has the power to spoil, stain, and corrupt the entire moral character of a person.

Let's be sure to bridle our tongues and demonstrate to the world that sometimes our responsibilities need to trump our rights.

I'm just saying...