Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
Quote; “Don’t believe everything you hear, don’t believe everything you read and only believe half of what you see.” Fake news is nothing new. The Nazis used fake news to discredit the Jewish people. What is known as yellow journalism and sensationalism in writing false stories to increase the readership of newspapers has been around since the late 1800s.
The intensity caused by the ever-increasing information that we are experiencing today is that sensational and fake news is available on all media platforms, as well as the old traditional ways of news reporting. It is so easy to be overwhelmed and duped with false information that people are having trust issues with all the so-called reliable sources. False stories, inaccurate witnessing, and conspiratorial blabbering is rampant. Prov. 14:5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
The Holy Spirit admonishes us to test the spirit of what is said. 1John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Those who are in Christ, are blessed to be able to ask God to help discern what is being promoted as reliable news, whether it is secular or religious. Even though we are not of the world system, we do live in the world, and we need to know what to pray for so that God can influence the leaders in this world.
Jesus had to deal with fake news concerning Himself. Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” There were rumours and hearsay going around as to who Jesus was. Matt.16:14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” There were rumours then as is today. If Jesus was John the Baptist, then this would be one of those alien tabloid shapeshifting stories because John had been executed not long ago.
Jesus had to deal with fake news concerning Himself. Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” There were rumours and hearsay going around as to who Jesus was. Matt.16:14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” There were rumours then as is today. If Jesus was John the Baptist, then this would be one of those alien tabloid shapeshifting stories because John had been executed not long ago.
If Jesus was one of the late prophets or Jeremiah, then this worked out for the Scribes and Pharisees, because they could keep their power structure going and keep looking for a Massiah who represented their own values. If Jesus was Elijah, then again this worked in favour of the Scribe’s self-righteous beliefs. Matt.17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? Even though Elijah had come in the spirit of John The Baptist the Scribes could calculate within their own narrow-mindedness and keep Jesus as an enemy of their sacrosanct system.
The Lord asked Peter a key question, just as Jesus is asking everyone today. “Who do you say that I am?” If our answer is not clear and to the point as Peter’s declaration was, then we have fallen for fake news as to who Jesus is. Matt. 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The blessing that we have is when we are honest with God and truly want to know the truth, God will reveal it. Matt.16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
How much fake news have we been responsible for? What have we reposted, gossiped, and retold with our slant on it without validating the facts or the truth of the matter? Have you muddied the waters even more than they are? How much fake news do we put out in the world while complaining of all the fake news coming our way? Stop it! Let us get a grip on our own hearts that Jesus has secured through His blood and the cross.
Stop blaming current problems on everything going on around us, and let us take up our position as saints in Christ. We need to open our mouths and declare the good news – Jesus is Lord! Let us live in the peace Christ gave us and not get caught up in all the exploitative journalism. John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. Be courageous, we are more than conquerors. Keep your ear to the ministry and direction of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
There are so many dogs of hell barking on the internet and so called Christian Television these days, don't listen to them. Read the Word and trust the Holy Spirit. He will give you the truth to bark about.
Thank you Larry
I'm trying to remain relevant to the times we are living in.
Strange days bro, strange days.
Norman, how much more bang on and convicting can a disciple be? Thanks, an all around great commentary on the times, and the Kingdom.