The pursuit of freedom can take you some interesting places.  In God, we’re made free (John 8:36, Galatians 5:1, Acts 13:39, etc.), especially if you walk by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17).  But like the Galatians (5:13), Peter’s friends (1 Peter 2:16), and the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6:12), pursuing freedom even as a Christian can begin to look like allowing yourself to do anything.  Both Peter and Paul told their readers, “Everything is free to you, but not everything is helpful, some things build up the flesh, and some ‘freedoms’ are just coverups for sin.”

I see this especially with the way people speak.  Sure, we’re free to talk whatever way we want to within reason (there are verses about not gossiping, building each other up, and not allowing coarse joking, etc.).  But it’s becoming more and more common – even in the church – for people to think of those who have the least curb on their tongue as the ‘freest’ people around.

This isn’t true.  Often, the people who talk the most freely are actually some of the most bound – they talk with bad words and things they probably shouldn’t mention out of the deep, deep pain within themselves.  This isn’t judgement as much as an observation.  They need some way to release the pain, so they do it with less-than-acceptable speech.  The pain has caused them to become numb to the propriety of the situation.  It’s a feeling of freedom just to be able to spit crude language.

“We’re free,” I’ve heard them say.  “We don’t have to conform to societal norms.”

And yet – are you using your freedom to degrade yourself or those around you?

You see, your mouth is a very important part of you and your relationship with God (see James 3:9-13).  Our words have power.  If we use our words to tear down others, speak dishonorable things, or doubt God and His promises, God, in his gracious mercy, will limit the authority we have in Him.  What I mean by this is that if He gives us authority, our words will come to pass.  So if you say to someone, “You’re so _____” and it’s not necessarily a positive, you’ve basically enabled them to become that negative thing.

On the other hand, if you train your mouth (and heart) to speak encouragement and words that line up with God’s word (both the Bible and promises to you), then God can increase your authority.  He can trust you not to tear down His work in your life or in the lives of the people around you.

Perhaps we should take a careful look at our words.  Are they things that would encourage God to give you greater authority?  Or are you sabotaging your own destiny by ensuring that you’re powerless, just by the words you speak?

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your moths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

“By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)