Where do you get your news? Where do you get your information? Where do you find out what’s happening? Where do YOU find the truth?
It’s possible those 4 different questions get 4 different answers. It’s a fact most outlets of information are really portals of disinformation. Call it ‘fake news’ or ‘dangerous propaganda’. There is an agenda behind the curtain to give you what you want to hear, to feed your mind with information, to confirm what you want to hear…and support your truth.
The headlines confirm the disinformation and the slanted angle by asking better questions. “Just How Partisan is Facebook?” “Google Search Can Lean Liberal, Study Finds”. Twitter, Facebook, Google, Wikipedia. Round up the usual suspects just to find they’re all guilty.
“Trump Chastises TV News Executives” is another headline. The President-elect has personally criticized both television and print news outlets including CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and the New York Times. He reportedly said CNN was a den of liars. Some people find this an outrage and warn about a backlash. But if the shoe fits.
Paul did the same thing 2000 years ago. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4. OK, Paul said it a little nicer.
Don’t let the words ‘doctrine’ and ‘myths’ get you off the trail. Don’t let a Bible verse cause you to miss the point in 2016. These “men who will not put up with sound doctrine” are the same today as they were in 30 B.C. They don’t tolerate the truth, but claim to seek it. Instead they reject truth for sensationalism that fits their need and their truth. It’s the age old game of gathering viewpoints to suit a selfish desire and agenda. Everything old is new again.
I’ve heard the word ‘truth’ used ad nauseum lately by friends and pundits. Even the political candidates urged the use of their websites to ‘fact check’ for the truth (you can trust a website to FACT check, can’t you?!) The desire for truth is hard wired into every speaking being on the planet. Christians have a role and responsibility in regards to truth. “Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Ephesians 4:25. Now we’re getting somewhere. The truth can come from the right people.
In days LONG gone people might start the search for truth with the words you use. Wikipedia ruined that didn’t they? An actively created and constantly edited encyclopedia…what?! The definition of words are changing about as quickly as some want you to believe the truth is changing. In writing my last post I searched the word ‘submission’. Wikipedia doesn’t even define the word but redirects you to another word. That used to be the job of a Thesaurus (it’s not just words that are being used to redirect our minds regarding the truth. Go to Google images and search ‘submission’. Don’t let the kids watch when you do.)
It all begs the question, ‘What is the truth?’ Too many people these days try to avoid the G word when seeking for and defining truth. Good luck with that; it will NEVER work people. It’s the only place to start looking for truth. You can sense it, feel it, you KNOW it’s true. In fact, if you don’t bring the most divisive name into the conversation, you’ll never get there. “How can you say that?”, you ask. Glad you did.
Jesus prayed to his Father, the God of the Old Testament. He said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17. So, truth is found in the Bible, in the living word of God. In the Old Testament. Want another source of news and information? Hang on.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6. Jesus’ words are in the New Testament. So, truth is found in the Old and New Testament. Want a more modern, hip, alternative source of news and truth? Get ready!
Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit, the ‘new’ source of truth. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:12-13. That’s when he should have dropped the mic.
Jesus added a few more words. “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
There it is people. Truth that never changes and it comes from God, but deep down you already knew that. The trending truth, if you will, comes from Jesus because he gets it from the Father. And if you want live streaming truth, tune into the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives live, breaking truth delivered right to your head and heart. These are the only outlets that never change or alter the unadulterated truth.
So, where are you getting your news and information? The next Presidential administration will be using new sources as outlets for information. YOU might need to confirm some outlets and delete others. The good news is the truth is easy and free if you have the right source.