For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. –Romans 1:16
During the 1960s the media, siding with anti-war demonstrators, slanted coverage in one direction– regardless of reality. At times, their so-called “news” was not only grossly slanted and inaccurate, but also false.
Today, much the same occurs with reporting on conservative or Christian issues such as the abortion controversy. Large pro-life marches and gathering are played down or not covered at all, while much smaller pro-abortion events get top coverage.
Those who believe in the sanctity of life at whatever stage tend to be portrayed as dangerous fanatics, while those for taking the life of the unborn child are portrayed as highly intellectual, compassionate and reasonable. Emotional rhetoric replaces facts and truth.
More often than not, journalistic objectivity becomes journalistic license to persuade the readership to a particular point of view. When most newspapers subscribe to the AP wire service, if an AP service story is not accurate, every paper in the country prints a false story that many will believe. That’s a problem. The source of falsehoods is never God.
The father of lies is Satan. The media touts false news and we’re tempted to believe it without further investigation. But how often do we investigate other temptations in our lives? If we did, would we find, behind our excuses and rationalizations, the great illusionist Satan gleeful because we’re so easily fooled by not only the evil one, but also our own desire to go our way instead of God’s?
How often do we get uncomfortable over Christ’s principles, Christian fellowship and church because we start believing lies that separate us from the abundant life God has planned for us? Why? Because Satan paints a picture of Christ’s path as restrictive, joyless and no fun.
He also tempts with parties, sex, wealth, drugs, alcohol, uninhibited expression, painting his temptations as freedom instead of the slavery His way quickly becomes. His way can be a masterful illusion for those who wish to believe, but it is still an illusion.
Jesus is true freedom. He is love and truth and reality, and the only way to true fulfillment and joy.
Don’t settle for spin and falsehoods that end in misery and disillusionment.
Help me, Lord, not to substitute illusion for Your truth. Help me study Your Word, that I might know truth from error and follow You. Amen.
By Carolyn R Scheidies
From Listen! Who Me?