Being aware of the "fake news" and the ramification of propitiating that news has been brought to our attention on many fronts by guess who? The news media. The ability to alter the news, give one sided news and deceive people isn't new and wasn't invented yesterday. It began in the garden. "Did God say you would really die?" The history of mankind shows that simple statement has continued until today. The Bible prophesies that this will happen and that decisions will be made according to the false information propitiated by Satan. The Bible also tells us that the Christian will be subject to the ramifications as well. In fact, the Bible tells us that there will be those who call themselves Christian who profess a false gospel for their own gain and selfishness. We have read about this many times over the years. Denominations have made up rules on their false beliefs that include anything from attendance in church to tithing. When will Christians learn? Obviously some preachers are making so much money off their lies that they simply don't care what news they deliver. From the prosperity gospel (not the Gospel) to healing ministries designed to bilk money out of the parishioner and those confined to the TV the deception has become a money machine.
Why do we engage the fake news? Better question would be why does the Christian propitiate the fake news? James tells us that we seek and do not receive because we ask with wrong motives. Just what I a wrong motive? The Gospel states clearly that anything selfish focused is brought up with wrong motives. Being a Christian means we are not "self" motivated but rather Christ motivated. We are urged to be discerning (one of 3 definitions of judging) in our lives watching out for the fake news and any of the rabbit trails that result. Yet, itching ears demand some to not only read and listen to the fake news but to also repeat it. Whether that be in person or on social media the results are the same. We end up a deceived people deceiving others. There is nothin unselfish about that. From plagiarism to outright lying we take what we want and present it as real. That's not the way Christ has been our example. His unselfishness in his death and resurrection is real news. The Bible clearly states in several places the result of changing the Bible to suit one's wants. If you add to the Bible you will have the plagues added to your life. If you subtract from the Bible you will have your name erased from the Book of Life. Choose wisely is the key here.
Because of the selfish wants of many they have wandered away from the path that leads to salvation and embarked on journeys that only lead to eternal damnation. Think about it; where in the Bible does it tell us to wink at sin and to bring sin to a place where the church thinks it's okay? It doesn't. That's not fake news. Yet, some will portray the Bible as fake news. Maybe you or your church does? Just because the Bible doesn't address something we cannot assume that something will be okay with God. What we can do is know that anything selfish motivated isn't from God and shouldn't motivate us. There is only one action of selfishness that is okay with God and it isn't based on fake news. Salvation. We come to the Lord asking for grace we don't deserve and can't earn. We ask for forgiveness of sins that we have committed and Jesus steps between us and the Father deeming us clean. We don't deserve any of this. What we need to do now is expose and confront the fake news delivering the Good News that mankind is desperately needing.
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