Toxic information and fake news ∙∙
Everyone speaks lies to one another; their speech is smooth; they talk with duplicity. – Psalms 12:3
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things the LORD hates – no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
The Rise of Modern Communication and Information Overload
With the rise of modern communication technologies, humanity entered a new era of information sharing.
- Print Media: Newspapers and magazines made news and information easily accessible.
- Broadcast Media: The rise of radio and TV brought real-time updates into homes worldwide.
- The Internet: By the late 20th century, the development of the Internet exponentially increased global access to information, creating a world where knowledge was just a click away.
However, this explosion of information came with unintended consequences. By the end of the 20th century, society had started experiencing information overload, a state in which the sheer volume of data made it hard to process, prioritize, or determine what was accurate.
The Weaponization of Information
Information is bifurcated into two forms: disinformation (deliberate falsehoods) and misinformation (unintentional inaccuracies). Although these are not new ideas, they were used effectively to deceive the enemy during World War II. Propaganda campaigns were designed to shape public opinion and achieve political or military objectives.
In the digital age, individuals, organizations, and governments have utilized new media capabilities to influence public opinion and achieve their objectives. However, this has also resulted in the spread of confusion and division through the dissemination of false narratives and deceptive content. The prevalence of “toxic information” and “fake news” has undermined our ability to understand what is really happening and why. As a consequence, we face a crisis of trust in media and communication, with people struggling to tell what is real and trustworthy.
A Biblical Perspective on Toxic Information
The Scriptures describe toxic information more forcefully, calling it wicked and deceptive lies.
The purpose of such speech is to manipulate others to achieve a specific agenda. David addressed this in Psalms 12:2, “Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”
The Hebrew word translated as “lies” is shave. Shave refers to “something worthless, fraudulent, fictitious, or untrue, something of absolutely no value or use.”
The Hebrew expression beleḇ waleḇ, translated as “a double heart,” is literally “a with heart and heart.” This idiomatic expression conveys the idea of “duplicity, deceit, double-dealing.” For those familiar with old American western movies, duplicity was referred to as “speaking with a forked tongue” (UBS). The point is that “duplicitous hearts produce duplicitous words.”
David’s Observation
David recognized that he lived in a society dominated by deception. As Wiersbe notes, “What would David say if he were alive today and witnessed the propaganda and promotion that make up what we casually call ‘the media?’ He would probably describe today’s ‘communication’ as he did centuries ago: empty and useless words (‘vanity’), smooth talk (‘flattery’), double-talk from double hearts, and boastful talk or ‘proud words.’”
Deception wasn’t just the practice of a few individuals; it defined the entire generation. David might describe modern communication in the same way:
- Empty and useless words (vanity).
- Smooth talk (flattery).
- Double-talk from double hearts.
- Boastful and proud words.
How can we navigate a world filled with manipulative, toxic information and fake news?
REFLECT & PRAY
In a world flooded with information, seeking truth and wisdom is essential. While toxic information and fake news may prevail, God’s Word provides clarity, guidance, and a solid foundation for making sound decisions.
Father, help me to know the Truth, believe the Truth, speak the Truth, and make my decisions based upon the Truth. Teach me to discern fact from fiction and to navigate this world with wisdom and integrity.
INSIGHT
God’s Resources for Discernment for Separating Truth from Error
As children of the King, the Father has given us two powerful resources to distinguish truth from error, fact from fiction, and what is valuable from what is worthless:
- The Word of God
- The Holy Spirit
These gifts enable us to navigate a world filled with deception and confusion, providing clarity and guidance in every situation.
The Spirit of Truth
Jesus promised His disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would guide them into all truth. John 16:13, Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.”
The Holy Spirit’s role is to accurately reveal what we need to know and guide us in understanding God’s will and His Word.
The Helper and Teacher
The Holy Spirit not only guides but also teaches and reminds us of God’s truth.
John 14:26, Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
For the disciples, this promise assured that they could accurately remember and record the teachings of Jesus. As a result, the Gospels serve as precise and inspired accounts of His life and ministry. In other words, the Gospels provide a trustworthy historical record of these events. Through the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, the human authors were empowered to write the Gospels exactly as intended, leaving no room for doubt or compromise.
God’s Word is Absolute Truth
Jesus affirmed the reliability and authority of Scripture in a single, profound statement: John 17:17, “Your word is truth.”
The Word of God is the ultimate standard of truth. It is unchanging, trustworthy, and offers a solid foundation for all who seek to live in the light.
Children of the Light
All of the children of the King are children of the light and children of the day. We are called to live as children of the light, walking in truth and rejecting darkness.
The apostle Paul explained, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, “For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.”
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word, we are empowered to identify what is precious and reject what is worthless. Will this work in every case? Probably not.
Even the Discerning Can Be Deceived
Although we possess divine resources, deception is pervasive, and even the wisest among us can be deceived.
The Lord Jesus Christ warned, Matthew 24:24, “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” This warning from Jesus reminds us to stay alert and grounded in the truth, as deception can appear in subtle and convincing forms.
Living in a World of Toxic Information
When we encounter toxic information, fake news, or false teachings, it is our duty to reject them. By grounding ourselves in God’s Word and trusting in the Holy Spirit, we can avoid straying and make decisions rooted on truth. The Holy Spirit helps us discern what is valuable and what is worthless. Although we may not always get it right, we are called to strive to walk in the light and reject deception.
God’s Word is our solid foundation, offering absolute truth in a world filled with confusion. With the Holy Spirit guiding us and Scripture as our anchor, we can navigate a world rife with deception and live as children of the light.
The Scriptures promise in Proverbs 12:19, “Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.”
¯\_(ツ)_/¯3-16-2
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 