[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Towhat extent do we have freedom of speech under God?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Morespecifically, what are we allowed to say under God, that we don't endup in hot water or worse? For God is not going to silence us as welive. Whatever we say now, will be considered on out judgment day,and by then it would be too late to stifle ourselves before we sayanything. Since Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit, we aregiven free reign in our actions...it's a matter of which of thoseactions, including speech, will condemn us. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Also,as most of us are governed, the governing authorities most favoredunder God are those that rule with Him in mind, so in the matter offree speech they reflect what we may obtain from the Scriptures.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]So,to start with, we are not stopped from saying anything, except whatwe might say that would cause harm to others or cause others tostumble. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out ofyour mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits theoccasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Similarly,Ecclesiastes 10:12 says “The words of a wise man's mouth win himfavor, but the lips of a fool consume him.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Someof our politicians and world leaders have put on a poor show in thatregard. One of those leaders apparently rules without God in mind,and the other, although he makes a show of going to church andperhaps entertains some clergymen, is only making a show of it. Jesushas warned us of those who impress others by attending a House ofWorship, yet while they seem to love God with their clothes and theirappearances, they have left out loving God with their hearts. Souls,might and minds. We have politicians who in their very words deceivethose who rely on them for their well-being, as those politicians sayone thing but the evidence points to the contrary. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Andwhat of our leaders who call other leaders names like 'Crooked...''Lying...' (you fill in the blanks) and 'Rocket Man'? What good doesreferring to those people by these names accomplish? [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Andwhat of those in hate groups who by their words denigrate others? Youthink God is in their hearts, despite the fact that you might seethem in a house of worship, standing or kneeling when called upon bythe clergyman and reading responsively from the Good Book? [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]1Peter 2:16 says, “Live as people who are free, not using yourfreedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”Most of us have some idea of what living as servants of God entails.It's not too hard to understand. Under Jesus, if you love eachotherand you give God the respect and gratitude in your daily living, youare doing well indeed. When you hear the words of someone talking, beit a leader, a neighbor, a friend, a relative or someone sitting nearyou on a bus or train, you can wonder if in their words they are atthe moment living as a servant of God or as the servant of evil. Wemay not judge, but we can discern.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Morespecifically, what are we allowed to say under God, that we don't endup in hot water or worse? For God is not going to silence us as welive. Whatever we say now, will be considered on out judgment day,and by then it would be too late to stifle ourselves before we sayanything. Since Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit, we aregiven free reign in our actions...it's a matter of which of thoseactions, including speech, will condemn us. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Also,as most of us are governed, the governing authorities most favoredunder God are those that rule with Him in mind, so in the matter offree speech they reflect what we may obtain from the Scriptures.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]So,to start with, we are not stopped from saying anything, except whatwe might say that would cause harm to others or cause others tostumble. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out ofyour mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits theoccasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Similarly,Ecclesiastes 10:12 says “The words of a wise man's mouth win himfavor, but the lips of a fool consume him.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Someof our politicians and world leaders have put on a poor show in thatregard. One of those leaders apparently rules without God in mind,and the other, although he makes a show of going to church andperhaps entertains some clergymen, is only making a show of it. Jesushas warned us of those who impress others by attending a House ofWorship, yet while they seem to love God with their clothes and theirappearances, they have left out loving God with their hearts. Souls,might and minds. We have politicians who in their very words deceivethose who rely on them for their well-being, as those politicians sayone thing but the evidence points to the contrary. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Andwhat of our leaders who call other leaders names like 'Crooked...''Lying...' (you fill in the blanks) and 'Rocket Man'? What good doesreferring to those people by these names accomplish? [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Andwhat of those in hate groups who by their words denigrate others? Youthink God is in their hearts, despite the fact that you might seethem in a house of worship, standing or kneeling when called upon bythe clergyman and reading responsively from the Good Book? [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]1Peter 2:16 says, “Live as people who are free, not using yourfreedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”Most of us have some idea of what living as servants of God entails.It's not too hard to understand. Under Jesus, if you love eachotherand you give God the respect and gratitude in your daily living, youare doing well indeed. When you hear the words of someone talking, beit a leader, a neighbor, a friend, a relative or someone sitting nearyou on a bus or train, you can wonder if in their words they are atthe moment living as a servant of God or as the servant of evil. Wemay not judge, but we can discern.[/FONT]
