–– Mark Christopher

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The contentious issue of struggle songs in South Africa has sparked considerable debate, consternation, and division for several years now. Last week, President Trump showed a 5-minute video of Economic Freedom Fighter leader, Julius Malema, singing what is called the “Kill the Boer” song at several rallies. 

As a result, the issue has dominated the headlines for 8 days straight. The South African delegation, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, awkwardly squirmed as Trump had the video played and the world listened to “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer … shoot to kill, shoot to kill … Brrr pop, Brrr pop.”

Immediately, the battlelines were drawn. The legacy media leapt into action, downplaying and denying the images and the words. Deny, deny, deny has become the order of the day. 

For his part, Malema responded by singing the song again at a rally over the weekend. This is reminiscent of Proverbs 26:11, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.”

In the aftermath of last week’s revelation to the world, Ramaphosa retreated to his usual posture of denying any harm being done by singing such songs. He reasons the song is just some theoretical “symbol” of the struggle movement of yesteryear, and no harm is meant. His tacit approval speaks volumes. After all, the South African Constitutional Court recently ruled that the song does not rise to the level of hate speech. This is seen as complete justification for singing such inflammatory songs. 

Does the court’s verdict affirming former struggle songs, calling for the killing of a particular demographic, make singing them right? Is this ruling the final court of appeal? It is worth noting that the judges are all appointed by the same political elites, promoting and affirming the songs. 

In short, it matters not what man thinks about these songs, because there is a much higher court than any human court. God, who sits high above the heavens, has established a divine standard for human speech. It is found in His word and clearly details what is acceptable and unacceptable speech. Despite what any human court decides, the Christian is bound by God’s higher standard. 

What follows is an introductory Biblical survey of what God’s Word says about speech. Songs, like “Kill the Boer”, should be evaluated by this God-given standard, not man’s. 

Biblical Evaluation of Human Speech

1. Human speech is an accurate reflection of one’s spiritual state, as numerous verses from Proverbs indicate (6:12; 8:8; 10:11; 18:21). A person with a “perverse mouth” is said to be “wicked” and “worthless.” Proverbs repeatedly uses the term “perverse” in relation to speech. It speaks of wrong or false speech of the ungodly. 
2. Human speech is characterised by extremes—wickedness on the one hand and God’s righteousness on the other (Prov. 10:11 & 18:21). In this sense, speech has a bipolarity that swings from the negative to the positive of the speech pendulum. Our words are either a fountain of life, which God encourages, or they lead to the corridor of death, destroying and dividing as they go. 
3. Human speech is a megaphone for the content of a person’s heart (mind). Our words serve as a table of contents for our identity and character. What is down in the well ultimately comes up in the bucket. The true spiritual condition of a person is evidenced by one’s words. Those who call for violence and glorify the killing of a particular demographic in society are demonstrating they are not only on the wrong side of history, but also on the wrong side of eternity. As Jesus Himself said, “For the mouth speaks out of which fills the heart (mind)” (Matthew 12:34 & 37; 15:19).  
4. Human speech is a primary vehicle for expressing man’s total depravity. After declaring that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans identifies the vessels of speech as the primary channel for the sinful human heart. Words then give way to action as seen in feet swift to shed blood (Romans 3:13-18). 
5. Human speech is difficult to control. The tongue is a wild and unruly member with the capacity for vast destruction. James declares the sinful tongue is a veritable incendiary device, causing a conflagration of woe. Man can tame the wild beast, but can’t tame his own tongue (James 3:5-9).  

Biblical principles for the believer’s speech

1. Be wise to the bipolar nature of the tongue. The sinful human tongue is not neutral. It is used either to bite and devour, or to encourage and adorn. Understanding this bipolar nature of our speech is a preliminary step to exercising self-control over our mouths.
2. Be a truth teller—God’s truth. The truth we tell is to be gilded by biblical love. Because we are truth tellers, the believer should never affirm someone in their sin or ignorance. This is neither prudent nor loving (Ephesians 4:15 & 25). 
3. Be constructive with your speech, not destructive. The tongue is meant to build others up, not put a target on their backs, like the “Kill the Boer” song, or calling whites “neanderthals” and “sub-human” as Nota Baloyi recently did. Unwholesome speech is rotten speech (Ephesians 4:29). 
4. Be responsible and well-measured in your speech. Each person and situation is different, so one must wisely navigate the waters of speaking, knowing when to speak, what to speak, and how much to say (Colossians 4:6).  

What should one conclude about the song in light of this? In all candour, can anyone realistically claim that singing songs glorifying the elimination of another race of people are “harmless symbols” with no repercussions? 

I guess most have forgotten the history of NAZI Germany during the Holocaust. The NAZIS also sang songs about killing the Jews as they marched them off to the gas chambers. These songs were used to help normalise ethnic cleansing.

To justify singing songs about the slaughter of any group of image-bearing people, one has to ignore the obvious while arguing the ridiculous. Based on the current headlines, many are Olympian at this. 

Conclusion

So, what should be the Christian response to the song? Based on God’s doctrine on human speech, it should neither be sung nor defended. Additionally, speak the truth in love to those who adamantly defend it and then shower them with the gospel of Jesus Christ, pointing them to the resurrected Lord. All the while, guard your own heart while responding, avoiding emotional responses and speech that would undermine your efforts. Then pray and leave it in God’s hands.