Freedom of speech does not mean I am free to say anything! For example it’s plainly wrong to threaten to kill somebody or to make their life a misery by using intimidating language.

Writing in the Bible the Apostle James says that man has tamed all sorts of animals but, “No man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.” He goes on to say that if anyone can control their tongue they can control their whole body. He then illustrates this by likening the tiny tongue to the small bit in a horse’s mouth that enables the rider to control the whole animal. [ James 3 ]

The only man in the history of the world who had perfect control over his tongue was the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the reason why He could offer up Himself as a perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty our sins deserved. Jesus never put a word wrong even when the religious leaders tried to trip Him up. Eventually they had to admit that, “Nobody has ever spoken like this man!” [ John 7:46 ]

When Saul of Tarsus was persecuting Christians Jesus said, “Why are you persecuting Me?!” Similarly when Jesus was blasphemed in ‘Jerry Springer-The Opera’ about 50,000 Christians felt they had been persecuted so they politely used their freedom of speech to rebuke the BBC.

When the first Christians were thrown to the lions by the Romans they died praying, “Father, forgive them.” [ Luke 23:34 ] God says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” [ Romans 12:19 ] It is God’s will that justice should be done on earth through our law courts, but until God’s final day of judgement, we must say, “Father forgive them.” It is not the job of any human being to take revenge.