Misinformation

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Our world abounds with misinformation. I’m unsure how we’ve arrived at this place, but we have. Perhaps it’s nothing new, but we find it in every venue. Personally, I don’t know what or who to trust anymore. Distortions, half-truths, deception, and even out-and-out lies seem to be a normal part of life.

Whatever happened to simple, objective information? Must it be slanted with one’s own individual bias? Because I tend to read several different news sources, I try to arrive at a conclusion based on a preponderance of evidence, but even then, I’m not totally sure of what to believe. Sometimes, I wonder if we’re more interested in what will sell than what is true. Personal agenda is much alive today, but I guess that isn’t new.

Misinformation is as old as Adam and Eve. If you’re familiar with that story, you know that Satan tricked Eve with misinformation. He twisted what God had said to confuse and otherwise trick Eve into disobeying God’s command. That’s all we must do: bend the truth just a bit to get someone off course. In navigation, a simple change of direction by one degree will cause one to miss their destination by miles. Yet misinformation and half-truths abound.

Do you suppose some do it because they believe themselves right? Is it about power and control? Or is it possible that some believe what they are doing and saying? I certainly have met people who have told the lies so often that they believe them themselves. Even with tangible proof, they continue to stand on falsehood. I believe that the problem is found in the fallen nature of man. Simply put, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Since Adam and Eve, we have passed on a nature that is in every man and woman. Lying, cheating, and dishonesty are at the heart of every person; you must choose not to. You must choose a path of honor and integrity. Think about it.