User or Abuser?

Dictionary.com references "Freedom of Speech" as "any filtration. Now, everyone thinks that they should add their two cents' worth just for the sake of the "right of people to express their opinions publicly without governmental interference, subject to the laws against libel, incitement to violence or rebellion, etc."

This right is a blessing and also a right that has been perverted so that it has become a en excuse to say anything that passes through one's mind without further thought. I mean, since you can, why not, right?

Wrong. Not every thought that passes through our heads is necessarily good "fodder" and we should definitely still consider the consequences of our words. Unfortunately, the right doesn't come with a disclaimer that warns us that what we say will have a lasting and potentially harmful effect. We have become cavalier with our words in general.

Have a look at what King David says in Psalm 12:2-4
² Everyone lies to his neighbor;
their flattering lips speak with deception.

³ May the LORD cut off all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue

⁴ that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;
we own our lips —who is our master?"

What could possibly cause us to do such things as lie to our neighbors? Let's take a look at what Jesus said in Luke 6:45: "For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Clearly we are dealing with a heart issue here. We live in a time where so many say, "follow your heart" but this is what God says about our hearts: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).

Perhaps following our hearts is not always the best option. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:8 to think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" and also to think about anything excellent or praiseworthy.

Don't just blindly follow and speak whatever comes through your mind. Think about some excellent things and let your words count!