The words we use matter. Unfortunately, old habits die hard.

Even today, I find myself talking about our Constitutional rights. Surely, we can all agree there are legitimate concerns when it comes to our rights—particularly in modern debates surrounding free speech, the Second Amendment, and other hot-button issues.

So what’s the problem with discussing Constitutional rights? There really isn’t one—except perhaps the lack of such discussions. The real problem lies not in the conversation, but in the label.

“Constitutional rights.”

When you hear that phrase, what does it imply about the origin of our rights? Put another way: Where do our rights come from?

Thomas Jefferson addressed this directly in the Declaration of Independence, writing that our inalienable rights are “endowed by our Creator.” In other words, they are a gift from God—not from government.

Jefferson further explained that these rights exist “not by the grace of kings, but by the laws of nature”—not the laws of man. John Adams echoed this understanding, stating, “Rights are antecedent (existed beforehand) to all earthly governments; rights cannot be repealed by human laws.”

So again, what’s the problem with the phrase Constitutional rights?

That phrase implies that our rights originate from a document—the Constitution. And if our rights come from a document, then the men who govern under that document can suspend, repeal, or redefine those rights at will.

In our current societal ignorance, we have seen exactly that.

During the COVID pandemic, officials assured us that our rights would be “restored” at some later time. We watch as assembly is regulated, speech suppressed, and the right to bear arms is questioned.

If government can suspend, repeal, or regulate an activity, is it truly a right—or merely a privilege?

Hint: a right cannot be suspended, repealed, or regulated.

Words matter.

As a society, we have come to believe that the men and women we elect possess the authority—indeed, sometimes the obligation—to take away the rights of others in the name of security or justice, often delivering neither.

Thomas Paine warned us plainly:

“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.”

So how do we correct this dangerous error in belief?

There are many ways, but let us begin with a small step—a simple step, and a difficult one: changing a habit in our language.

Let us stop implying that our rights are creations of a document, grants of legislation, or gifts from government.

Instead, let us refer to the rights codified and enumerated in the Constitution for what they truly are: our inalienable rights, our God-given rights, our rights endowed by our Creator.

(And don’t hesitate to remind me if I slip.)

Words matter.

If we wish to preserve the constitutional republic we are so blessed to be part of, we must begin by speaking the truth about the source of our liberty.

By Scott London