Many extreme groups demand what they call "their right of free speech," but by their actions they prove the truth of Winston Churchill’s statement. They say and do outlandish things and then complain if anyone expresses criticism. They want free speech for themselves but not for those who disagree with them.

The world’s desire for free speech is out of line with the scriptures of truth. We are not free to say whatever we want. Jesus tells us "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

David understood that it is possible to sin with the tongue, "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me."

James would agree with David when it comes to putting a bridle on the tongue. He says, "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body…"

The familiar children’s rhyme, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" simply is not so. The tongue has caused more pain for more people than sticks and stones ever did. Solomon tells us, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

We need to stop and think before we speak. Paul says, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." James tells us to be swift to hear and slow to speak. We need to keep our words sweet, for we may have to eat them. The problem is that once they come out of our mouth it is impossible to get them back. Let us then choose our words with care.

In a moment of anger we are told that Moses "spake unadvisedly with his lips." For us speech is not free. We are responsible for our words as well as our actions. We should pray as David did when he said, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."