Considerations Before Speaking Your Mind

Recently I have heard and read many people exercise their right to “speak their mind.” While I am grateful that we live in a country where the right to free speech is guaranteed (I know, that is arguable, but I will save that for the political bloggers), a question keeps coming to mind: as a Christian, just because I have a right to speak my mind, should I?

With Holy Spirit inspired wisdom, Solomon reminds us that not only is there is a time to speak, but also a time to keep silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). If you are like me, we often get those occasions confused. So before we so quickly express our opinions and speak our minds, let consider a few Biblical perspectives.

  1. Our mind is one of the components that make up what the Bible refers to as our “heart” – the others being the will and emotion. When we speak our mind we reveal what is truly in our heart. Jesus said that the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart (Matthew 12:34). Do the things that we say indicate that our hearts are desperately in love with Jesus or do we speak more passionately about for less important things?
  1. As Christ-followers, we are commanded to surrender even our thought patterns to Jesus. Scripture tells us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5), “let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5), and that spiritually guided people have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Do the opinions we express and the things we say display a life that is under the influence of Jesus?
  1. Before we speak our mind, let’s make sure our minds are where they ought to be. In Philippians 4:8, Paul gives us a good guideline for the kinds of things that should occupy our thoughts. The list of 8 qualities in that verse should be the kinds of things about which we ponder throughout each day. If I am going to speak my mind, I should be sure that my mind is pleasing to God.
  1. ALL of my speech should draw people closer to Jesus. The wise person recognizes that we have precious few opportunities to make an eternal impact on lives around us. We need to make sure that what we say creates a thirst for Jesus in those who hear us (Colossians 4:5-6). Only so much of what we say will be heard and accepted by others. Speak mostly about Jesus.

So, Christian, before we speak our mind, let’s make sure that our mind is worth hearing.