In an age of fake news, Christians have an edge: the truth of the word of God. Many Christians, however, still fall victim to the lies and falsehoods being spread all across the globe through word of mouth and the internet.
How do we avoid being a victim of fake news? Let's talk about that.
"Fake news"
Did you know that fake news isn't really "news" at all? All this time we've been hearing about it and accepted the phrase as correct, but even the phrase itself is wrong.
The term "fake news," according to UNESCO Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development Guy Berger, shouldn't even be used in describing fake news.
"If it is news, then it isn't fake; and if it is false, then it can't be news," he said, according to a report.
There's nothing true or right in fake stories. Such stories and misinformation passed along and treated as authoritative news or facts will cause us to make the wrong decisions, be burdened with unnecessary pressures, and might even cause us literal heartaches or mentally-draining problems.
Friends, spare yourself the trouble of accepting fake news as true news. Here are some ways you can do that, according to the Bible.
1) Don't believe any news outright
The Bible warns us not to be gullible, even in spiritual matters. 1 John 4:1 tells us,
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Many of us easily get duped into believing well-packaged lies as legitimate truth because we don't bother to check their authenticity and just receive anything religious sounding as the real deal. We must always check if what we read, hear, or see is true.
2) Take thoughts captive
Another way to prevent being victimized by fake news is by "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
We do this by taking the fake news' information and evaluating it in light of Scripture. Of course we can't say that everything in the news can be found in the Bible, but if what the news tells us goes contrary to the teachings of Christ and the Bible, we shouldn't even listen to it.
3) Test it against Philippians 4:8
Lastly, we go the simplest route of all: the Philippians 4:8 test.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Friends, even if the news that we read is true, that doesn't mean we should just live our lives according to it. The things that should fill our minds should be true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, has virtue (or excellence, according to other translations) and is praiseworthy. Otherwise, it's just a waste of time and attention.
