This picture was in black and white and I changed it to yellow to remind us of the the concept of "yellow journalism". You know, that journalism which distorts, sensationalizes and exaggerates the truth in order to sell newspapers, get network ratings or promote a particular political agenda.
It is was only recently that I learned what "FAKE NEWS" was. I grew up believing what the newspaper and TV told me was true. Today, I need to consult multiple sources and different news media to determine who is telling the truth.
Finding truth can be an elusive thing, but if your heart is right, then, when you hear it- YOU WILL RECOGNIZE IT.
Here is but one example; an exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees....
John, Chapter 8 (World English Bible)
12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. 16 Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. 17 It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. 18 I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
22 The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’ ?”
23 He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
25 They said therefore to him, “Who are you?”
30 As he spoke these things, many believed in him. 31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him,“If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’ ?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. 35 A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. 36 If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. 38 I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”
They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
42 Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. 44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (emp. added vs. 44) 45 But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”
48 Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”
49 Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. 51 Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. 55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”
57 The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM. ”
59 Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by.
My maternal grandmother, Gladys, used to say:"A half-truth is a WHOLE LIE!!!" How true! Evil always will give you a little truth mixed in with a bold faced lie! After awhile it almost becomes impossible to recognize the truth, even when it is right before your eyes.
Overcoming this problem is ridiculously simple- purify your heart. Then, listen to Jesus and learn. The Pharisees couldn't do this and wanted to kill Jesus.
Sound familiar? Well, how many death threats have you heard against president Donald Trump by the democrats? I can't remember their names, but I do know who their father is- SATAN!!!
The good news is- we all can change. We can change from Satan's cowardly yellow to God's purist white....
Somehow, I don't think "FAKE NEWS" will be fake for long....