Speak Up

       Yesterday in class we went over the phrase “Speak what you want, not what you ought to say.” As I sit here and think about what this is saying my first reaction is that this is not ethical. I’ve learned to hold my tongue in certain situations and speak what is right and wise. This is where the phrase can be difficult.
    Being raised in a Christian home has been such a blessing in my life; but, this can have its challenges as well. “Speak what you want, not what you ought to say” tells us that we should be able to say what we feel, even though it can be right or wrong. Why hold anything in? Be honest and brace about who you are and what you feel. Although Pslam 19:14 reads “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”, as Christians how are we expected to respond to this? I believe that we are to glorify God with our words and be uplifting to our neighbors and even our enemies. There is a time and place to speak our opinions and thoughts, but you've got to know where to draw the line. I don't think this phrase is good to live by, but can be used in certain situations. Being raised in a Christian home has taught me good ethics in life, and watching what comes from my mouth is a good virtue to withhold. "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen"(1 Peter 4:11).