Sara Bareilles and John Mayer are among the many songsters that urge in their lyrics, “say what you want to say”, or “say what you need to say”. These rallying cries have sold millions of DVDs, encouraged and validated multitudes.  As freeing as it may seem, there is a caveat.  Freedom comes with responsibility. What is your responsibility when you say what you want to say?

Freedom

Freedom for one may appear to be encroachment for others. Someone’s right to toss an apple core on the street may participate in the detriment of their neighbor’s curb appeal. Yes, the core of the eaten apple is organic, yes, overtime it will naturally decompose, yes, it may even attract beneficial insects that will nourish the soil. What about the neighbor’s right to have a yard free of unwanted debris?

There are laws and ordinances that attempt to guide the behavior of those two neighbors so that they are able to coexist. When they either fail to comply with the statutes or they find ways to violate the spirit of the law while keeping the letter of them, negative outcomes generally result.

Both the apple eater and the neighbor may be able to make valid points to justify their behaviors. Clearly, if the situation rises to the level of physical altercation there will be consequences to those actions. So what started out as an act to promote natural disposal of something most would consider nonthreatening became a wedge that allowed bitterness to enter the relationship.

Perhaps that seems too simplistic. Let’s go back to a situation that occurred not long ago in United States history.

One group of individuals, decided another group, their neighbors, were not worthy of a basic responsibility legally afforded to all U.S. citizens—namely the right to vote. The color of their skin, the region they lived in, and the strong views of those with the authority to establish and enforce local laws caused neighbor to be against neighbor.

On the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the state of Alabama, 50 years ago, a peaceful protest by those attempting to affirm the rights of the Coloreds denied their responsibility to vote became what is now known as “Bloody Sunday”. Several deaths and hospitalizations occurred in the aftermath of the actions taken by law enforcement following the march.

Clearly both sides felt strongly that they were taking the best action to resolve the situation. It seemed like the right thing to do. These actions began with thoughts, feelings and emotions. There were many angry words said. Words of hatred, inferiority, superiority, equality and love were spoken around the volatile issue of civil rights.

Is it alright to say what you want to say when your intent is to inflict harm on others? Is it appropriate to let our words fly no matter where they land? Are we to just spew venom on others, because we can? Do we have a responsibility to filter our words? Must we hold things in? How are we loving self when we keep a closed mouth when offended? How do we know how much to say and when?

Our Responsibility

We do not just happen to discover God’s will. We are not able to just stumble onto it. He has instructed us in Matthew 6:33 to:  “… seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (KJV)

When we search His word and seek His way of doing and being right we also learn the power of life and death is in the tongue. We also see in the book of James (chapter three) much information about the importance of taming the tongue.

God has not left us to ourselves to tame our tongues. As we seek His righteousness, He guides and directs us as to how we can process our feelings, renew our minds and release negative emotions. He guides us to live a life of self-control and freedom.

True Freedom

The true freedom comes when we recognize who we are in God’s grace, recognize our authority over our tongues, then we are able to master controlling them. This begins in our hearts. As we wholeheartedly seek Him he reveals how we can do the otherwise impossible with Him.

When you say what you want to say, or say what you need to say, and that aligns with the word of God it is a win-win. As He guides us we love our neighbor as we love our self.

Do you say what you want to say? Do you say what you need to say? Is what you say what He has prompted you to say?

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”