In today’s world, “free speech” is often invoked in defence of political commentary or cultural criticism. Social media gives millions a platform to share their views—many of which stir strong emotions, outrage, and even legal con-sequences. But while society debates the limits of expression, the example of Jesus Christ and the early church calls us to something higher: to speak not just freely, but eternally.
In 2024 a horrific stabbing in Southport, UK left three little girls dead. There was an outcry from politicians, community leaders and opinion formers. One woman, clearly in an agitated emotional state, posted on social media a tirade against asylum seekers (the murderer had been mistakenly assumed to be an asylum seeker). Though she later deleted the post and apologised, she was sentenced to 31 months in prison for inciting racial hatred. The case sparked national debate: was she a victim of speech policing, or was hers an outburst that simply could not be tolerated?
Whatever the legal discussion, that moment reminds us how powerful and dangerous words can be. But what about speech that isn’t driven by fear or anger—speech that speaks to something deeper, something eternal?
The Example of Jesus
Jesus Christ didn’t speak to win popularity or political influence. He spoke with divine authority, calling people to repentance, truth, and life. Jesus didn’t speak to provoke outrage or to secure followers. He spoke eternal truth, not for reaction but for redemption. His message didn’t flatter the powerful or echo public opinion. It confronted sin and revealed the character of God.
My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me (John 7:16).
His words carried the weight of heaven and eternity. They were not reactions to news cycles—they were proclamations of God’s eternal reality. While modern speech debates often focus on the right to speak, Jesus focused on the truth that must be spoken, regardless of personal consequences. On one occasion he confronted the religious elite who held authority and controlled the spiritual narrative of the day: ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness’ (Matthew 23:27).
Jesus didn’t hold back, even when standing before Pilate, the Roman governor who held the power to condemn him to death: ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above’ (John 19:11).
He clearly laid out his mission: ‘For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth’ (John 18:37).
The Apostles
This mission of bold, eternal truth-telling didn’t stop with Jesus. It carried into the lives of his followers in the early church. The Apostles Peter and John were arrested for preaching that Jesus had risen from the dead. When commanded to stop, they replied:
We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).
The ruling council strictly forbade them from teaching about Jesus any further. They replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29).
In Acts 7, Stephen stood before the religious council and preached a powerful message convicting them of betraying the Messiah. He was stoned to death for his words.
These men weren’t speaking their personal opinions. They were proclaiming God’s truth, often at great personal cost.
Preach the Word
In contrast to modern free speech debates—which often focus on personal rights—Bible truth-telling is a matter of responsibility to God. As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season…’ (2 Timothy 4:2).
Our world doesn’t need more noise. It needs voices like Christ’s—full of love, courage, and eternal clarity.
So let us not be distracted by the tem-porary. Let us listen to the eternal truth, and be prepared to speak it, boldly and humbly, no matter the cost. Like Peter. Like Stephen. Like Jesus Christ himself.
May God give us that kind of courage.
Joanna Wale