“Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; because every brother deals craftily, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth, they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity…. Who is the wise man that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined, laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through?” (Jer 9:4-5, 12).
We live in incredibly confusing times, in large part because practically all our knowledge about what's going on in the world is filtered through popular media outlets. Entire nations hang on to the words of their favorite newscasters, allowing them to dictate their values through their interpretations of the world. A much-loved comedy program in Israel, Eretz Nehederet, loves to mock the blind trust people place in the media. Their parodies skewer the BBC's antisemitic distortions of the current events in the Middle East.
But lest we conservatives think our beloved news channels tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, we ought to take heed of Jeremiah's diagnosis of the human tongue. Every human's mother tongue is deceitful. The words from our tongues simply cannot be trusted because they flow from uncircumcised hearts (see Jer 9:25-26).
To allow any news channel, right or left, to determine our worldview is absolute folly!
The only “news” source that can be trusted entirely and, therefore, ought to shape our views and determine our values is God's word, which he has spoken through his prophets and apostles. The truly wise people of the world are those who commit themselves to the careful study of God's word because they know that God's “mother tongue” is truth. He cannot lie about the past, the present, or even about the future. Every word out of his mouth is entirely accurate. So, if we allow the Bible to be our favorite source of news, rest assured, we will never be led astray.
“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar” (Prov 30:5-6).
