It does not take much time on the internet to figure out that what is posted cannot be taken back. There is always a way to find a deleted post again. All it takes to find examples is a simple Google search or a look at the news. There are plenty of posts that have been taken down by moderators or specific words that are censored for the safety of the public. We have these rules because there are people who post without concern for how their words will impact others. Some even post with the intention of harming or shaming someone they disagree with. And if someone is Christian, I believe they are held to an even higher standard of the content in their posts on any platform. After all, God despises those who stir things up within their community as mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19. But what about those who blog, publish, or speak hurtful things that are not censored? Their freedom of speech gives them the right to say whatever they want as long as it doesn’t break the law. Yet over time, and from the right sources, these harsh yet legal words, can lead to the deterioration of mental and physical health.
With such a powerful tool at our disposal, it can be hard to find a balance between speaking truth and showing compassion. As a Christian, I value the teachings in the Bible and aim to put its wisdom into practice in my everyday life. One of the most valuable things I am learning through a relationship with Christ is when to speak and how to speak most effectively. The Bible has numerous verses and parables that talk about the correct use and purpose of the tongue as a part of the church and human body. One such passage is found in James 3:5-6, which says:
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
That is a pretty loaded passage. If the tongue itself is set on fire by hell, a place where Christ is absent, I think it is safe to say that the tongue can be evil. But if the tongue can be evil, how can we ever speak? How can we ever say anything that’s not going to start a fire and burn those around us while it consumes our own person? Even more power is given to words in Proverbs 18: 20-21: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”With this much emphasis on the impact our words can have, it's a blessing that the Bible offers advice on how to manage such responsibility. In regards to this, there is a specific theme found throughout the Bible: do not use your words to harm people. In fact, in Proverbs 6:16-19, it says that lying and stirring up conflict within the community are actions that God despises. In that case, the first parameter could be to always use kindness when talking, even when you disagree with someone or they are just blatantly wrong. In 1 Peter 3:9, it says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Paul writes in Titus 3 that we should not slander anyone – instead, we need to be “peaceable and considerate, and always… gentle toward everyone.”Later in the chapter he says that he emphasizes these characteristics because they highlight what is good and profitable to everyone.
I have been confronted with unkind words or even outright lies about my appearance, intelligence, religiosity and much more. And I’m sure I’m not alone. Though these things can be hurtful, it is not uncommon to find people or institutions who promote this way of life. Some even thrive off of belittling others. What is uncommon is a truly Christlike response. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Clearly, there is room for discussing various issues that arise, as this verse highlights. But before it allows for correction, it demands compassion. This is what I would love to see enter our everyday conversations with each other and within the church as a whole. Too often I see voices shut down by bullies who cannot make their point without adding insult either because they know their argument is weak or they have nothing better to say. This is contrary to the Bible. Nowhere will you find a verse that says it is okay to insult or attack someone who you view as wrong, so it should have no room in our vocabulary.
I wish I could say that everyone holds similar values to those expressed in the Bible about the tongue and its vicious abilities, but that’s just not the case. There will be people who unintentionally – or purposefully – hurt you with their words. You can only control your own reaction and I hope that it will be one of compassion and integrity.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.