Intentionally misleading others has become the goal of many of the social media posts I come across. They come from all sides of the issue. They take a few snippets of truth and twist in a particular agenda. The goal is to cause a reaction positive or negative.
I typically scroll past these posts and ignore the temptation to respond or repost. Lately, the frustration has gotten the best of me. I fact check the post and comment on how it is misleading or untrue. It is quickly exhausting especially when I know it won’t change anything.
The danger becomes that nothing is true or correct. It erases facts and a sense of reality. It causes a physiological stress response and leaves many skeptical of everything, not knowing who to trust or believe.
While intentionally misleading others is a goal for some, scripture tells us something different. There is truth, and the tongue is a powerful weapon to be used with care.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. 4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. 6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts….21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18 NIV).
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25 NIV).
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).
I’m examining how I’m complicit in unwholesome talk or intentionally misleading others. I’m challenging myself to do better. I’m challenging to speak truth wherever I can. Will you join me? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.