Friday, July 19, 2013

Discerning Truth: The Bible vs. The Mainstream Media




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). 

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