I have
stayed out of the Zimmerman/Martin discussion because I don't want to exploit a
tragedy to try to further my political views.
The following link is not about Zimmerman/Martin but more about the way the
mainstream media shapes news and how they cherry pick their stories (and
information revealed in their stories) based on the agenda they are trying to further. http://www.westernjournalism.com/the-truth-about-george-zimmerman/ Granted, the site I am linking
to also has an agenda, but doesn’t have the power or authority the mainstream
media holds. (The ultimate power and authority of God’s Word will be addressed a
little later, and no media outlet can compare to that.) The story paints
Zimmerman in a favorable light and adds facts the mainstream media chose to ignore. Do I believe Zimmerman is without vault? No. (Who
is?) Do I believe him to be the monster the mainstream media has pictured him?
No. The Martin death is a tragedy, but
so is the story of Pat Mahaney who was beaten to death by 6 teens. This story is not highlighted by the
mainstream media because Mr. Mahaney did not fit the profile that would further
their agenda. Be wise and discerning
when choosing your news source. Don’t
just view sites or watch news that caters to your political or ideological
views. Try to get the whole story. It may take some digging, but the reward of
finding more of the complete truth is well worth it.
Digging for
truth in the Scriptures is even more worth it and God rewards those who genuinely
seek truth. Jesus said, “Ask, and it
will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you. For everyone who asks receives, and
the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew
7:7-8 ESV). But what is the truth Jesus
is talking about? Ultimately He is
talking about Himself. Jesus also declared,
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me” (John 14:6 ESV). Discerning truth
in any man made news agency can be difficult and even the best discernment is
never going to be able to reveal the total truth of any story via the media. However the good news is that truth from
Scripture can be discerned by those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in
them. “. . . the Spirit searches everything,
even the depths of God. For who knows a
person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no
one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians
2:10-11 ESV).
The truth
the media offers is worth investigating but the truth that the Holy Scriptures offer
is of the highest importance. Media
truth can inform and produce knowledge. Biblical truth, via the Holy Spirit, transforms
a person into the image of God.
Let me close by letting God’s Word speak for
itself regarding the transformative work Jesus Christ does to a person who receives
Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus said, “I
am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out
and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came
that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:9-10 ESV). Paul stated, “Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2
Corinthians 5:17 NIV).
