John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (ESV)

I was listening in on the radio to Jennifer Kavanagh, a representative for the RAND Corporation, an American non-profit global policy think tank. She made observations about social media and their influence in the recent USA presidential election campaign. She mentioned the phrase truth decay.

This is a term initially used within the RAND Corporation to describe the rise of what has been derided as "fake news" — misinformation promoted by some on instant media.

Simultaneous with the propagation of fake news is the erosion of trust in the established systems of government to tell the truth or the media to promote it. It has been coming for decades, but the use of instant media has given accelerated rise to the wilful endorsement of a number of dangerous and harmful delusions taken on board as fact.

The outcomes of these wilful deceits are still in play, and I fear that the consequence will be a wide and various long-lasting influence on some of society's most fearful, frustrated, disaffected, and disillusioned population to cause even more mistrust and rebellion — despite the facts available. Evil prospers in mistrust, isolationism, and fear.

This dialogue was followed on by an interview with President Obama. In the interview, he also used the phrase truth decay to describe his understanding of the increasing promotion by non-critical media for the proclamation of misinformation as truth that blurred opinion with fact. I believe that he said something like "Social media can spread the notion of an idea around the world before truth has even left the starting gates."

As I listened, I thought, Okay, God, what is this clanging bell in my head? Wilful lies are being spoken and believed as truth for personal agendas.

Answer: We know whose spiritual influence is behind half-truths and life's lies!

My heart feels the disquiet for the blatant, wilful abuse of authority and power. Those in positions of power and influence around the world use messages and lies to bolster their own position. Media are used by some to pander to itching ears and fearful hearts, because their listeners hold onto hurts and baggage that blind them to the truth that they would see if they could allow Jesus' light to show them the way.

Are we in the end times? Maybe. The end could be millennia away, yet spiritually, there is nothing new, just more. Meanwhile, Jesus told us that He is the Truth.

He is our Rock, our Anchor, our Saviour, a very present help in times of trouble. I listen to Him because I know that His Truth is everlasting and will stand the test of time. We can have peace in the midst of turmoil by the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus. Keep the faith.

Prayer: Lord, here we are again, appalled by the state of our world and the lack of justice, equality, and freedom therein. We know that we are often complicit in the perpetuation of the status quo. By Your grace, enable us to let go of the past. Renew Your life in us to shine Your light in our darkness and to show the way forward, in, through, and for Jesus. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Send your feedback to the author