Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

In the climate of political correctness and word-smithing that has obfuscated critical thinking and journalism, information-control-mongers have stooped to a new low by labeling everything that threatens the narrative-du-jour, “fake news”.

Every time that accusation appears in print or on a talking heads program, I am immediately reminded of a ring of middle school rivals in a schoolyard hollering back and forth:YOU’RE the fake news!

No, YOU are!

Am NOT!

Are SO!

And so on…

It’s hard for bystanders to not get caught up in the fray which, of course, buys the real fake-newsers, as it were, more time to re-direct attention from what is really going on, that is, events and issues they want to keep hidden behind the curtain, smoke, and mirrors.

Fortunately, however, it doesn’t take long to figure out this new diversionary ploy and then to get about the business of doing one’s own vetting. As long as we still have freedom of the press, that is, which is another topic of great concern…

My point today is not to give more press to the playground rivals but to remind the reader that there is a source of truth and of good news that defies every skewed, man-made (and Satan-prompted) narrative; good news that is the same “yesterday, today, and forever”; news that helps us overcome the obfuscations and the control-mongers behind them.

I refer, of course, to God’s Word, the original and dependable source of all that’s fit to print–and to live by–that helps us pull back the curtain of lies and tricks. It is a light that always has and always will shine no less bright to guide us through the moral darkness where trouble-mongers of any and every stripe would like to keep us deceived.

I like to start with these reminders:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Although the mischief makers are good at deception craft, believers are never without recourse and clear direction:

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (believing every word, easily misled). (Psalm 119:130).

My favorite go-to book for practical advice and illumination of the tactics of “the enemy,” i.e., the primal source of all the bad news, is Proverbs. And looky here in “today’s chapter” (there are 31 chapters, conveniently, one for each day) where “wisdom” speaks:

“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks understanding she says,
⁵ “Come, eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶ “Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding.” (9:4-6)

~~~

Look here for additional Letters to The Remnant in this series.