In today’s America, words are being weaponized. These are not just harmless insults or heated debates. They are attacks meant to divide, inflame, and destroy. When California Governor Gavin Newsom took to social media and called White House adviser Stephen Miller a “FASCIST,” it wasn’t just a throwaway insult. It was a deliberate choice to stir up anger and hatred. And sadly, this type of language is becoming far too common from the political left.
Democrats often insist that we need to speak with civility and care. They say we must avoid “hate speech” and tone down the rhetoric. But when they feel threatened or angry, they abandon their own rules. They shout, they smear, and they label anyone who disagrees with them as dangerous. Governor Newsom’s outburst is just one example of the glaring double standard. He says he wants unity, but he fans the flames of division.
It is no coincidence that, just hours after Newsom’s post, a horrible shooting happened in a church in Michigan. While the two events were not directly connected, the timing reminds us that our words matter. In a country already on edge, powerful leaders should be calming the storm, not stirring it up.
And yet, leaders like Newsom keep using words that they know can lead to violence. They call conservatives “fascists,” “extremists,” and worse. Then, when violence does happen, they pretend to be shocked. But we know better. We know that ideas have consequences. When you teach people to hate their neighbors, some of them will act on that hatred.
To make matters more confusing, some on the right are beginning to wonder if we should fight fire with fire. Should we start using the same tactics? Should we silence our enemies because they tried to silence us? Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi raised eyebrows when she said she would prosecute hate speech. Though she later clarified that she meant speech that incites violence, the question remains: How do we fight back without becoming like those we oppose?
Thankfully, our Constitution gives us guidance. The Supreme Court ruled in the 1969 case Brandenburg v. Ohio that speech is protected unless it is meant to cause immediate lawless action and is likely to do so. That means we can—and should—speak the truth, even when it offends. It also means we must be careful not to cross the line into dangerous territory.
This is where Christians and conservatives must lead by example. We do not need to silence opposing voices. We need to outthink them, outwork them, and outlive them. When someone calls us names, we respond with reason. When they lie, we speak truth. When they lash out in hate, we stand firm in love.
Instead of demanding censorship, we must use discernment. That means turning off the TV shows that mock our faith. It means not buying books or products from those who despise our values. It means teaching our children how to spot lies and stand for truth. We do not need the government to protect us from bad ideas. We need strong families and strong communities that can tell the difference between good and evil.
This is how we win the battle for America’s soul—not with anger, but with courage. Not with censorship, but with clarity. Not by copying the left’s tactics, but by showing a better way.
The time has come to say enough. Enough name-calling. Enough double standards. Enough hatred. Let us be the people who rise above the noise and stand firm in truth. Let us be the people who light a candle in the darkness, not throw fuel on the fire.
America is still worth saving. But it will take calm hearts, clear minds, and a people who refuse to be dragged into the mud. Let us lead the way.
