Should Christians Care about Freedom of Speech?

First Amendment:

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 a redress of grievances.

 

“Live like free people. But don’t use your freedom to cover up evil.

Live like people who serve God.” 1 Peter 2:16 (NirV)

It seems like daily out freedoms seem to be eroding. In the name of safety, mask and vaccine mandates are imposed by governments. Big tech censors, blocks, restricts and removes those who do not agree with them because it simply violates their rules of conduct. The main stream media is anti-conservative and anti-Christian and pretty much the arm of the leftist ideology. The Canadian government shut down truckers fighting for freedom of choice and recently passed a law virtually putting all news sources under government control to stop any dissent.

Should Christians care about freedom of speech? They better! The main vehicle for the gospel of Christ is speech! We are told to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every nation, but Satan is using governments and Social media to stop that ability more and more. The great preachers of old preached in outdoor meetings, or in the public square or tents and released some of the greatest Christian revivals in history. Today that is hardly possible. Freedom of assembly? No, you have to have a permit. House church? No, it is not properly zoned. And recently Covid became an excuse to down many churches.

As Christians we are called to speak the truth in love! But many get so-called fact checked and canceled by the social platforms for doing just that! Speak the biblical truth about homosexuality and you are branded a homophobe and blocked. Speak the truth about gender and you are labeled Trans hater and bigoted and suspended or removed.. The sad fact is many Christians give up or worse are pressured and deceived into compromising and accepting what God has forbidden. Satan wants to silent your voice! 

The prophet Jeremiah was told by God to stand in the temple courtyard and speak to the people:

“Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.” Jer. 26:3

It says the priest, the prophets and all the people seized him and said “You Must die”. Jeremiah was simply obeying God and speaking all that the Lord had told him concerning the sins of the nation but it so offended the religious leaders and the people that they wanted to kill him.  Jeremiah’s response:

“The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.” Jer. 26:12-14

The king and the people again sought to put him to death but one man persuaded them to put him in prison instead. Nevertheless, the words of Jeremiah came true and Nebuchadnezzar came in and attacked the nation and whom he didn’t kill, he took captive to Babylon!

There are many spiritual principles here that we should consider. First the freedom of speech was removed. The religious system had become corrupt. The king and his government rather than accepting the warning of God sought to kill the voice of the prophet. And Jeremiah was faithful to God and spared, but not so the people.

They did the same thing to Jesus. They arrested him, not for anything he did but for something he said. He was called a blasphemer for saying he would destroy the temple (of his body) and declaring that he was the son of God. False witnesses (fact checkers) were called in to twist his words and persuade the religious leaders and government ruler to crucify him.

We still have some rights left but demonic forces and wicked people are seeking to erode them so that they might set up more government control in order to prepare the way for the anti-Christ. Jesus said that we must work while it is yet day for the night comes when no man can work. As darkness in society increases it is imperative that we let the Light of Christ shine and speak the words of the gospel while there is still opportunity!

Shalom!