“Can I Say What I Want to Say?”
There are so many things on my mind today that I was going to write about. I have been in a slump, but I have enough material to keep me going for a while. I was watching SportsCenter and I saw the interview that LeBron James gave concerning the issues between the NBA and China. I will not go into the content of the story, but I want to pull out one thing that he talked about. He said we must be aware of what we say and how it impacts others. Hmm. Interesting perspective. Can what I say have an impact on other people? I thought that my words are my words and I am free to say what I want. Freedom of Speech is in the Constitution. Speech and communication now go beyond a verbal expression but now is the same as if it is a tweet or post. Many people feel like they are able to say what they want. I will be honest and testify that I have been taught and learned that there are some things that I can say and can’t say depending on my age. When I was young, I called my mother a liar. Needless to say, when I got up off the floor I realized that my mouth got my butt in trouble. On the other hand when I turned 40 I felt like I earned a badge of honor and I began to not be concerned about other people’s feelings and I feel like I can say what I want to (what can folks do to me now?). I am amazed at how those who are over 65 virtually will say whatever is on their mind and not apologize for it. (a lot of our self confidence issues comes from the older people in our lives being honest…lol). I can remember whenever I would see my God Mother she would say, “Hey Boy…I see you still picking up that weight!” OMG! If I didn’t know that she loved me I would have a complex about myself!
The book of Proverbs has so many verses that deal with communication and the power of the tongue. One scripture in Ephesians speaks to me as well. Ephesians 4:29 NIV – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
God commands us to be careful how and what you say to others. Although we may feel like we have the power to say what we want, we must take into account how it may affect others. We may not know how our words can affect someone even to the point of them wanting to take their own lives. We can put the blame on others, but I take responsibility that if my RHETORIC is RATCHET then the responsibility is on me.
God has called us to be leaders and those who are in leadership positions whether spiritual or secular should be conscious of how our words can affect others. Our words can build up or tear down. It is more than just moral, but it is also spiritual. From the White House to the Church House we need to be mindful at how we talk and how we teach our children to talk. I was raised in my home and in school to treat others with respect. That if I want to be respected, I must respect others as well. My children look to me to see how to conduct themselves. If I don’t regard how I treat others, then why would they? We are supposed to set the example on how to do things the right way. Even if I don’t agree with you doesn’t mean I shouldn’t respect you.
Can you say what you want to say? Sure, you can! But at what cost? If your answer is, “it doesn’t matter”, then maybe you need to check your relationship with God because He doesn’t set that example.
God Bless,
Michael O. Oyedokun II