Dear editor,
So, you heard about the effect of the fake news about a Clinton-sponsored sex ring run out of a pizza joint. This caused somebody with a gun to run inside the pizza joint and fire their weapon, ready to expose the abomination and shut it down.
Lesson: False news affects people’s lives, and you don’t know how it will play out.
For Christians (putting politics aside), we are biblically admonished to beware of false prophets who teach false doctrines. (Matt 7:15 is one example). The only way to fight fake or false doctrines is to know the truth. Even Jesus Christ fought the devil using the truth (of His Word). See Matt 4: 4, 7 and 10.
When fake becomes truth to you as a Christian, what happens to your behavior? Well, you might become sensitive, or indignant, or defensive, or closed minded, or maybe even violent. Are you ready to punish, condemn or ignore someone?
A simple example: You may presume that no one has the right to drive below the speed limit. Well, that is fake, but you may wish it were true.
So, what is your reaction when you are behind someone who drives slow? Do you just say, “OK, that’s their prerogative?” Not usually. First, you may get hot under the collar; or you may decide to beep the horn; or you may decide to tailgate more closely; or you may drive up alongside them and wave your fist at them; or you may show them some number of fingers as a signal to change their behavior.
Sound familiar?
Some (people) actually consider running them off the road, or pushing them into stopping for a fight or even using road rage as a reason to shoot them and get them off the road.
Christians, make the connection to your Christian walk, to not be fooled by fake information! Set your focus, and transfer your energy to seeking the truth of Christ’s Word.
Remember, He reports that ‘if you know the truth, then, the truth will set you free’ (to be a real Christian example). See John 8:32 for example.
Merry Christmas!
JIM MOORE
Pace
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Fake news — a lesson for Christians