Freedom of speech has long been at the heart of civilisations. It is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction, and has long been recognised as a freedom worth fighting for. On many occasions, totalitarian governments have sought to abolish freedom of speech, locking up those whose opinions vary from the ruling view of ‘reality’, which, as we all know, can change according to political, philosophical or religious dogma very quickly. In recent times, it seems as if this freedom continues to be under attack; any view on lockdowns or vaccination, for example, which does not fit with the Government’s views on these subjects seems to risk unpleasant opprobrium, especially on social media.
The book of Acts ends with Paul under military custody, house arrest in effect, but we are told that he ‘proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!’ (Acts 28:31) Paul may have known the pain and indignity of physical chains, but he went on to say, ‘But God’s word is not chained.’ (2 Tim 2:9) We can be thankful for this. History teaches us that Christians and others have been imprisoned, tortured and even martyred because they spoke out against lies and for truth, the truth of the Gospel which does not change, however much our worldviews may alter. Yet in all circumstances, God’s word is not chained; it is not bound. As Isaiah said, God’s word ‘will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ (Is 55:11) May we have the same confidence as Paul to proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance, valuing every freedom we have and cherishing and defending freedom of speech whenever we can.
