Do not use harmful words, but only healthful words

"Do not use harmful words, but only healthful words, the kind that buildup and provide what is needed so that what you say will do good to those who hear you." (Ephesians 4:29, TEV)

   These days we hear a lot about the right to know everything that is happening around us. We hear everyone talking about the freedom of expression and freedom of the press and journalists to expose all the events taking place in the world. That kind of talk which encourages and advocates for the fundamental right of the people to know the facts of the surrounding world sounds very attractive and reasonable. But we must be cautious enough in using the right to express and the right to know.

   To say the least, it must be said that the freedom of expression without control and discretion is dangerous for society and will cause further decline in moral and ethical values.

   Few years ago a leading daily news paper reported that the flesh trade was the main business in a certain village situated besides one of the main highways of Andhra Pradesh. The news reports said that all the vehicles which were traveling on the highway were stopped in that village and the villagers were offering either liquor or a call girl to the passengers.

   This news caused two kinds of damage to the society. Firstly the illicit trade which was little noticed so far had suddenly gained much publicity and people who are looking for opportunity to commit sin flocked to that village from all sides.

   Secondly it became too difficult for the girls of that village to find marriage alliances. Needless to say, all the girls and women of that village were not of bad character. Only a few have taken up the flesh trade as their livelihood. But, because of the indiscreet news coverage all the women of the village became scandalized. Even the Godly pious and virtuous girls of the village were humiliated and looked down upon as bad girls. What good have the newspapers achieved by their thoughtless coverage of news? Many other similar instances can be quoted.

   Even among the Christian society we find a similar responsible talk. Whenever a believer commits a sin or an error, every other person puts forth all his time and energy to propagate the bad news. What is the benefit and use of such a talk? First of all the news itself may be false. On the other hand, even it is true that the believer has committed something wrong, the slander will do good neither to the erring believer nor to the fellow believers. If there be some weak believers who are looking for a fallen believer to fulfill their own unclean desires will immediately find one. On the other hand the believer in error will find it more difficult to rise up and to correct himself and be accepted in the society.

   Any talk about sin will only cause damage to the society. We must immediately stop all talk about evil. Talk only about good things. Leave the bad things to the Judge of the whole universe. May God give us this wisdom!