Gullibility – Proverbs 14:15

I don’t like to post opinions on Facebook, but I felt I it important to post this:

No Fact Check, No Post

Christians know three things:

Human beings can be sadly depraved and selfish at heart. So of course there will be conspiracies, and political lies, and attempts to sway people with untruth.
Truth can set you free. It is a precious commodity and must be protected.
No truth is more important than the gospel, and it’s progress at persuading the lost must be our highest priority, much above political or health viewpoints. The gospel is our only salvation.

Knowing these things Christians have an obligation to make sure that whatever they post is factual and gospel-responsible. Don’t know how to fact-check? Don’t post. Posting in hatred or desperation? Don’t post. Think everyone needs to see this or all is lost? Don’t post. Measure the value of what you want to post and measure your heart. Seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14).

The simple believes everything,

but the prudent gives thought to his steps. (Proverbs 14:15, ESV)

The government of Russia has been discovered to have seeded Facebook, during our lead up to the 2016 presidential elections, with fake news stories that were decidedly in favor of the Trump candidacy. They created fake facts attributed to individuals or groups (for example, 69% of military veterans disapprove of Clinton)

It seems they played on our willingness to believe anything we see on Facebook or other social media. We are not fact checkers. If it plays to our cause we are ready to buy it. Of course it must be true!

But the prudent person gives thought to his steps, doesn’t believe everything he hears, and makes decisions based in facts and based in God’s wisdom. He stands for justice for everyone because everyone matters to God.

About the Author Randall Johnson

A full-time pastor since 1979, Randall originally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) in 1979 and from Reformed Theological Seminary (DMin) in 1998. He is married with four grown children and a pile of epic grandchildren.

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