Don’t be deceived.
Exodus 23:1-2 – You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice.
Election results are contentious. Many of the most important issues of the day hinge on people having an accurate understanding of the facts. Yet, rumors abound, the talking points of media on either side begin to sound like echo chambers. Most people understand the commandment about not bearing false witness, and most reference that as pertinent to legal actions. But this passage speaks against gossip, against misinformation, against leading people to believe a lie, against following a crowd that is intent on doing evil, against perverting justice. Some have said false reports are like toothpaste—once out of the tube, you can’t get it back in. Sir Winston Churchill said, “A lie goes halfway around the world before ethe truth has a chance to get its pants on.” And he spoke in a time long before the internet!
Why are people so ready to believe falsehoods—and to repeat them? Psychologists suggest a lot can be explained about the mental shortcuts people take. Time and energy are required to really sit down and carefully examine what you are told; so it is easier and much quicker to believe the person who speaks with a tone of authority, no matter what he or she is saying. Those seeking to deceive will often couch their words with emotional elements that are intended to play on your feelings ahead of facts.
Truth lives with God. The more you know Him, the closer you are to being able to discern the truth. The psalmist wrote, “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me” (Psalm 43:3), and, “Lead me in your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5). Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). As difficult as it might be, these may be the days to hold a good dose of skepticism. If anything being said does not align with God and His Word, it is worth discarding.
Pray With Us
God of Righteousness and Truth, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the teachings of Jesus, and for the instructions You gave to Moses. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who enables us to discern truth from lies. We know that the enemy is very clever. He couches his evil words and half-truths with language that pulls at our emotions. Help us to see clearly when we are being deceived. Keep us more invested in Your Word where truth abounds. Thank You for hearing our prayers, Amen.
- Take the time for a closer walk with God by studying His Word and engaging in prayer.
- Before accepting information or “news” as factual, pray that the Holy Spirit would give you the discernment you need.
- Confess to the Lord if you have been guilty of passing along false information, half-truths or lies.
- Pray for the media in America to understand and report the truth.
- Pray that in your interactions with family, friends, and others, you would speak the truth in love.
