May/June 2021 Newsletter | Pastor Tony Ojamiren 


Cheap talk You pay nothing to open a Facebook account. James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”

‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬ I don't believe in freedom of speech.

You have heard it said that words do not hurt or break a bone. Where I am concerned, words do hurt. As a minister of the Gospel, it is disheartening to see people going through undue emotional pain and suffering that could have been prevented due to words said on social media. Many of you have heard and read of those who have committed suicide or done harm to themselves due to words that was spoken or written on social media. Very Mean words said about others are bullying. 

Job 19:2 How long will you torment me and break me in pieces with words?  3  These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me? 

Please always weigh the repercussions of what you say or write for they might cause great damage to others. 

• If you have nothing good to say - keep quiet. You are wiser in your silence. 

• I have never seen anyone that flourish in an atmosphere of criticism. You might feel good by your cheap talk in bullying others and want them to subscribe to your views but consider the impact they might have on those affected. You might not see anything wrong with it because you might have a teflon spirit, but there are many out there who might be weak and unable to handle it. 

For instance: Racist comments that are disguised as jokes. 

Many have withdrawn and are emotionally damaged due to people's comments especially in the workplace. 

You have a right to say or write what you like but consider the damage it might do to others. That is why I don’t believe in free speech. If the so-called “free speech” you advocate damage or cripple people emotionally and mentally, your free speech is no longer free but keeps people in bondage.  Free speech should be liberating. 

Before you say or express anything, you should give it a thought whether it is going to damage someone emotionally or not. (slow to speak ... - James 1:19). 

Freedom of Speech Vs Freedom of Religion: 

There is a difference between freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  One of the fundamental human rights in a democracy is the right to express your religious belief.  If you don’t believe in God and the Bible, you have no right to be offended in whatever is written in the Bible unless you are convicted by the Spirit of Jesus Christ and if so, you must repent and commit your life to Jesus Christ. Whatever is written in the Bible (The Word of God), they are not to condemn us but to bring us to repentance (change our ways) and bring you into a closer relationship with Christ.   The condemnation will only come when you refuse to believe. This is beyond the realm of any individual or God. You condemn yourself because you reject and refuse to believe and accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. 

John 3:17-18 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” 18 ““He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

We bring this message of hope to everyone because we have a duty of care. It is like driving past your house in the night and sees smoke billowing out.  Knowing that you and your family must be asleep inside, it is my moral obligation to do everything in my power to rescue the occupants.  Those of us that proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ are like the fire brigades rescuing people out of the fire of hell before it is too late.  If you do not believe, that’s okay.   I have a right to express my religious belief and you have a right to refuse to believe.   If you do not believe in God, you need not worry about the contents of the Bible quoted to convict others to repent (change their ways) and commit their lives to God. God will never force you against your will but remember, the day will come when each and every one will give an account of what they have done with their lives. 

2 Corinthians 5:10 'For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.' 

Rom 14:11-12 'For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to Me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God. ’”' 12 'Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

' If you are not bowing now and confessing when you have the opportunity to do so, you will do so eventually when it is too late. 

As you read this, now is your time to respond. Talk might be cheap. The words expressed from the Bible are not cheap, it is expressed to deliver you from the rotten life you are living and into a life that is worth living - a new life in Christ. 


Your friend Tony Ojamiren

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