February 21
Today's Readings: Numbers 1; Mark 3
Today's Thoughts: Just the Truth
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10
Many of us equate truth with whatever is in print. I have heard people say, "I read it in the paper. The writers wouldn't write it if it wasn't true." However, I am reminded of two different news articles by staff reporters who lied about their facts. The first one involved a long time employee of the New York Times, one of the most prestigious newspapers in the world. The reporter confessed that he lied frequently and deliberately as a means of generating a good story. The second instance that made a lasting impression on me is about a reporter from USA Today who committed the same types of deception. Both men covered stories involving the tragedies of 911 and the war in Iraq. Much of their information was falsified to the extreme, using photos of individuals supposedly killed; later, these people were discovered to be very much alive. Not only do these revelations speak volumes as to what goes on behind the scenes of the media world, but also it leaves the public gullible and ignorant, with no way of knowing what the truth is.
Where does "truth" really exist? Do we actually believe that anything written in print is somehow more believable? The Bible says that "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." So, in essence, we are all sinners and we are all capable of lying or falsifying information. I think we expect more integrity from those who make a living out of reporting the news. But the lesson for all of us is: don't believe everything you read. There is only one source that is truth and it is the Holy Bible. Anything else written by man has the opportunity for errancy and deception. Why? Because we as human beings are sinners, capable of lying and deceiving at every turn. We even justify our exaggerations by calling them "little white lies" or "just stretching the truth." The truth does not "stretch!"
Our only hope is in confessing our sins to "He" who "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" and to save us from perishing in them. He is Jesus Christ. He is Truth. Today, we must plant His Word in our hearts and minds so that His truth will guide us in our daily lives. Why do we waste so much time reading and listening to the world's news of death and destruction when we have the Good News that brings hope eternal? Think about it and make the switch today.
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