Meditation, Speculation, and Freeness of Speech

Speculation can be a healthy part of meditation. In fact, it can sometimes be hard to meditate deeply on a subject without speculating. Meditation and speculation is good as long as it is based upon good intentions.

According to THE RANDOM HOUSE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (Second Edition Unabridged), “speculate” is defined as “1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often fol. by on, upon, or a clause).  2. to indulge in conjectural thought. // The definition of “speculation” is given as: “1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity’s ultimate destiny.

Freedom of speech, religiously speaking, is simply to be free to search for and speak about the word of God, with no fear of man (Compare Ephesians 3:8-13). To have this freedom, individuals love God more than man. Seekers of truth do not allow rules of man or an organization to hinder their searching for truth of God. Those who use their speech to share with others the truths that they have found are free from the influence of the Devil, in that regard. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ASV); “in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.” The Devil has blinded the minds of the unbelievers. Organizations and people who do not allow the testing of their doctrines or look down on or punish those who do, are struggling to hinder truth seekers and freedom of speech. They are doing the Devil’s work by hindering the truth from shining. If an organization or person “has the truth,” why should they be afraid to have their doctrines tested by others openly? Just like a con-artist, they don’t want to be caught. Their doctrine is based upon falsehood. Ephesians 5:9,10 (Interlinear Bible) encourages all to keep on making sure of what is acceptable; “For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, (10) proving what is well-pleasing to the lord.” (Eph.5:9-10 NIV, Romans 12:2 RSV)

Proverbs 3:5-6(WEB)

Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
    and don’t lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

The original scriptures are correct and should be the first and only thing to look toward as being the word of Yahweh. Due diligence is required to examine the oldest available manuscripts, to avoid translation mistakes and fraudulent changes . The inspired scriptures can “explain themselves” by diligent study – This is part of the seeking the righteousness of Yahweh (Psalms 14:2-3 below) It is important to keep in mind the time of this writing of this proverb. What did the average Israelite have to instruct them? They most likely only had the word of God and not some other scrolls “of human wisdom” to help them explain it. So with that in mind, it can be safely said that Yahweh provided the scriptures to be understood to the extent that he would allow and he encouraged his people to be taught by them. The sayings of Yahweh are pure. This language is straight and true.

Psalms 14:2-3(WEB)

Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men,
    to see if there were any who understood,
    who sought after God.
They have all gone aside.
    They have together become corrupt.
    There is no one who does good, no, not one.

To seek Jehovah’s insight, we need to test our beliefs and way of life upon his word and rely on that above all else. See Daniel 11 comments (verses 33-35).

Proverbs 18:15(WEB)

The heart of the discerning gets knowledge.
    The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

2 Corinthians 1:9(WEB)

Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead

 We need to make sure we have full and exclusive trust in God’s word and not be afraid to test a man’s word against it.

Jeremiah 17:5-8(WEB)

Yahweh says:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man,
    relies on strength of flesh,
    and whose heart departs from Yahweh.
For he will be like a bush in the desert,
    and will not see when good comes,
but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
    an uninhabited salt land.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh,
    and whose confidence is in Yahweh.
For he will be as a tree planted by the waters,
    who spreads out its roots by the river,
and will not fear when heat comes,
    but its leaf will be green,
and will not be concerned in the year of drought.
    It won’t cease from yielding fruit.

Lovers of God will seek God’s truth even if they have opposition. They will not stop, no matter what any man or organization says or does. This is because they love God more than men. They put their full trust in God. God looks for such ones. 2 Chronicles 16:9a (ASV), “For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”