I'm Just Sayin'

The other day, I listened to two high school students debating an issue.  In a countering statement, Student #1 became fairly bold (bordering on caustic, perhaps).  Seeing Student #2 frown and turn red in the face, Student #1 threw his hands to each side, shrugged his shoulders, and backpedaled with the statement, “I’m just sayin’.”
 
The bell had rung, so I called class to order, and their conversation ended there.  Later, I considered the “last word” of Student #1, that final clause: “I’m just sayin’.”

This line was popularized years ago by two comedians: Paul Reiser and Eddie Murphy.  In their stand-up routines, it was generally an addendum to an insulting comment, “Hey, I didn’t tell you that you were fat (or ugly, or dumb).  I’m just sayin’.”  Like sayings sometimes do, it slipped into common vernacular and began popping up everywhere.  Probably, we’ve all said it and heard it.

After some consideration, I realized that we tend to use this phrase either A) lightheartedly, tongue-in-cheek, with a touch of self-deprecation, or, like Student #1, B) as a method of “drawing back” when we may have stepped too far and possibly offended or insulted our listener(s).  “A” doesn’t seem to be a problem, but let’s talk about “B.”

Culturally, we have found an “out” for any bold or potentially controversial statement we wish to make.  Isn’t that convenient?  When we make a strong statement and someone takes exception, it seems there are two responsible and respectable options.  Either we stand behind the statement because we believe in it and consider it necessary to say in this situation, or, if we feel we spoke too harshly, perhaps not truly meaning what we said, we apologize.

Maybe, in part, we have attached to “I’m just sayin’” because it keeps us from either having to show either the courage of our convictions or the humility of recognizing the errors of our loose tongues. The teaching of Jesus is clear on both of these.

There are over 100 verses in the Bible regarding monitoring our speech.  Jesus says in Matthew 12: 36-37, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Regarding simply standing behind our statements, Jesus says in Matthew 5: 7, “Let your yes be yes, and your no, no.”  Colossians 3: 6 reminds us that our speech should be “gracious” to everyone. A true study of Jesus’ teachings on our words is beyond a short article like this, but suffice to say that our speech is important to Him.

Granted, this is harder for some personality types than others, but we all struggle to control our words.  The Bible teaches that we are to “be transformed” by the work of the Holy Spirit, not stubborn and determined to say and do whatever we want at all times. This is yet another counter-culture concept in 2023, which brings us to a second popular saying that we sometimes proclaim: “I’m just doing me.”  It means a variety of things in different contexts, but can be employed to justify words or actions that might be objectionable to others. The idea is that whatever a person might object to is simply a result of some impossible-to-change aspect of our natures.  “Hey, don’t be critical, I’m just doing me.”

The problem with this:  I’m pretty sure we are supposed to be “doing” Christ.
I’m just sayin’.