“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” – Luke 2:15b
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has thrown a monkey wrench into the realm of reality. Now computer-generated images of people can be made to say just about anything anyone desires them to say, good or bad. AI has created suspicion and doubt in the public conversation. In a critical national election year, knowing the truth and verifying the “facts” is critically important for us if we are to make the right choice in November.
Oftentimes “fake” to those in the mainstream media is anything contrary to their talking points or political agenda. “Weird” is a word we are hearing used for people we disagree with. “Weird” is a word used to paint your political opponent as disqualified, ineligible, off course, unworthy of your vote. It is a word used to discount and dismiss a political opponent in a way that you don’t have to address their position points. For instance, if you come from a conservative or, perish the thought, a scriptural world view, you’re labelled “weird” or out of touch, hateful. I don’t know about you, but when homosexual men, trying to breastfeed babies, call men “weird” who served in the military, who saw combat, who are marines, and are straight, that’s not only weird, but that’s also the height of fallacy.
Political sentiments have reached such a fever pitch that even an assassination attempt on presidential candidate Donald Trump, seen LIVE ON TV, is being minimized in the media; its barely being covered. Doubts are being raised about the authenticity of the attack. We’re being told by some that it was orchestrated and was a political set up to sway the hearts of the electorate. While this is being pushed in the media, there is the “weird” transition of power from President Biden to his Vice President Kamala Harris. Silence can sometimes be golden, but it can also sometimes be a smokescreen. The silence about the vice president’s extreme liberal leftist positions in her history is a not-so-subtle effort to shape the narrative in her favor. Once a “Border Czar” of a porous border connected to countless local crimes, Harris is now disconnected from such a failed responsibility. It’s as though just not reporting the truth eliminates the truth. They are banking on their perceived ignorance of the electorate. I pray people can see through the smoke of the woke.
The selected reporting is the media’s attempt to make Kamala more palatable to their own blue electorate who may think the party has moved too far to the left. Public inquiries and debates where candidates must actually think on their feet and answer actual questions, that’s all conspicuous by its absence. The silence and re-writing of the vice president’s political history is an attempt to serve up a candidate that will be a viable option for never-Trumpers and anyone else they can draw into their camp. Actual news and reporting facts have been replaced with a cleverly crafted deviously directed narrative package presenting the blue bumbling candidate as a reputable rational option. The political scene is more a political drama, political theatre like never before. Candidates are actors and whoever plays their part best has the best chance of being elected. Only very rarely will a candidate be real, or risk speaking the truth to those in power. Speak truth, and if you don’t tow the company line of those in power, you become “harsh,” “trashy,” “insensitive,” “a divider.” Heaven forbid a conservative candidate actually defends themselves from the onslaught of the media. Heaven forbid someone actually prioritize Making America Great Again. They want a meek puppy to kick and keep down, not a lion-hearted red-haired survivor of an assassin’s bullet. The controlling political machinery doesn’t respond well to those they can’t control. All of this makes one think there is an old-fashioned artificial intelligence that is just as dangerous as the new AI; it’s called lying.
“Truth” has been relegated to whatever those in control of the media desire it to be. Objective “facts” are long forgotten. Media is more propaganda and indoctrination than a free objective press educating the public. What we are seeing today is a not-so-subtle narrative pushed by the government establishment. On a political level we see the First Amendment trampled by Cancel Culture, wokeism, and a host of ready-to-rage-in-the-streets “social justice” groups. Opponents are painted with accusations that the accusers are guilty of themselves. It’s a swamp of lies that should raise our suspicion.
What is the Christian to do? The Bible tells us that “love believes all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7). Does that mean we should accept everything people say without question? No. We aren’t’ to be gullible or willfully ignorant. There is no virtue in that. The Bible also tells us to expose the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Therefore, we are to trust, but we are also to verify the truth. We are to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Jesus told us to be salt and light, to infiltrate this dark world and influence it with His light. Christians are called to be ambassadors of a flavorful Jesus worldview (Matthew 5:13-16). Jesus came to witness to the truth, so should we (John 18:37). Yes we are to trust, but we are also to verify what is true.
I’m not one for Christmas-in-July, but there is something of relevance to our present situation in the Christmas story. As I was prayerfully pondering these contemporary issues the LORD drew my attention to something about the shepherds in the field. They are like many of us; just going about their everyday business only to be intruded upon with some world impacting news. The shepherds in the field, tending their sheep, received an incredible announcement of the coming Jesus from the angels of God. These angels told them of “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10). “Christ the Lord,” the “Savior,” was born! (Luke 2:11). Then, to top it off, suddenly a host of heavenly angels appeared and praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14). Wow! That must have been something to see and experience. That must have been incredible. That God would choose simple smelly shepherds out in the fields to receive such news is sacred strategy, because we certainly would have chosen differently. These shepherd were uneducated. They were taking care of stinky smelly sheep! “Glory to God in the highest”? Really? Such incredible simplicity, when you think about it, is shocking in its profundity. It was a glorious event that would have literally knocked most people off their feet. Surely the shocked shepherd’s’ jaws dropped.
Yes, ponder God’s choice of viewers to whom He announced the coming of His Son. Ponder God’s plan, and then notice something else. Look at these verses:
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
As soon as the shepherds heard of the birth of Messiah and experienced the glorious presence of God through the angelic beings, they just had to go and confirm that what they were told was true. I don’t think the shepherds had any real doubts about the truth of what the angels told them. I think it was more curiosity and excitement to see this incredible fulfillment of an age-old promise of God. But there’s still a principle for us to glean and apply to our lives in our day.
Maybe there was good reason for God to choose these shepherds. Maybe they were early ancestors of Missouri, the show me state. Maybe these simple shepherds had good old common sense. To confirm what we are told as being true or not is very important. The certainty of truth, facts, and even our faith depends largely on the reliability of what we are told and read and see. We should trust what people say, but we should also verify what they say is true.
The reliability of what we are told is linked to the credibility of the one who told it to us. In the Old Testament whether or not a prophet was from God was determined by whether or not what they said God told them would happen, actually happened. If it didn’t, they were deemed a false prophet (cf. Deuteronomy 18:20-22). In Deuteronomy 13:1-5 any prophet or dreamer of dreams that contradicts God’s law and word is deemed not from God. Therefore, in both these cases adherence to God’s word is the pivotal determiner in what is and what isn’t from God, and what we should and should not accept or follow.
These announcing angels were impressive. In the Old Testament 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were slayed in one night by one angel (Isaiah 37:36-38; 2Kings 19:35-37; 2 Chronicles 32:21). These shepherds experienced a host of these mighty angels! But the shepherds still went to see if what they were told actually did come to pass. A person might dress to impress, but what they say still has to be confirmed as true. That’s an important truth to live by. I don’t think these shepherds ran to see the baby Jesus because they doubted the message from the angels. I think they were genuinely excited or at least very curious about what they had been told and therefore they ran to see if it was actually true. But there’s a principle for us to adopt here. Just because something is packaged nicely, doesn’t mean the contents are as valuable as the packaging presents.
The Bible states, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). Our adversary is a master deceiver. The Apostle Paul expressed his concern of believers being deceived when he wrote his second letter to the Corinthians. He said, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or it you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted – you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). Trust but verify is a very good holy habit to have.
Satan is very persuasive in his deceptions. He deceived Eve by getting her to question the word of God. He does the same today, in all walks of life. Satan provides us alternative “interpretations” of God’s word that don’t jive with scripture as a whole. That’s one way he deceives us. If you aren’t familiar with the Bible as a whole, you’re more susceptible to being deceived. You can lie with scripture if you take it out of context. You can lie in politics and anywhere else in life if you take statements out of their context. Again, trust but verify.
But Paul elaborates that Satan the serpent deceives by drawing people away from the “simplicity that is in Christ.” The mark of religion is to complicate and cloud up the simplicity God has provided in Christ to have a personal saving relationship with Him (e.g., John 17:3-4). Ever noticed how some people can talk a lot but say nothing? When a person spouts words but doesn’t say anything of substance or evades answering a question, it’s a form of deception. In the political realm or life in general, if what someone says isn’t really something that needed to be said, though they say it, and maybe say it over and over again, maybe it never really needed to be said. Know what I mean? Trust, but verify.
When “Bible teachers” holding a particular position begin to say that the simple usual meaning of a word is really not the true meaning and that you need to look “deeper” or to their alternative definition, beware. The late great Bible teacher Norman Geisler simply but profoundly used to say, “If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense.” That is oh so true folks. Remember that. God isn’t into hiding His truth in esoteric cloudy confusion. God speaks very clearly, very simply, so that all who desire to understand and accept His revelations, can easily do so.
Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 to refer to, “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted – you may well put up with it!” Another Jesus would be any Jesus not defined in scripture. Another “Jesus” would be any “Jesus” who contradicts scripture or speaks out of His Holy Character. For instance, if a “Jesus” presented by someone said, “Well, you know, revelation is evolving. I used to say I’m the only way of salvation and to get to heaven, but times have changed. Now the Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age, Humanist, Atheist ways are just as valid.” If you hear that coming from a “Jesus,” renounce him and walk away. That is “another Jesus,” which is really no Jesus at all. The only Jesus that is the real Jesus is the “Jesus whom we [the Apostles] have preached.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses say Jesus is Michael the archangel. Mormons or the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints say Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer. New Age proponents say Jesus was a good teacher who discovered “God” within, and we can too. B’hai eclectics say Jesus is simply one of a series of avatars that comes periodically in history. These are all examples of “another Jesus” that is really no Jesus at all. Most cults get their Christology wrong and that is a big reason why they are discounted as false and aberrant. The only Jesus that is the real Jesus is the “Jesus whom we [the Apostles] have preached.”
Paul mentions “a different spirit.” Notice the small case “s” as opposed to the capitol “S” we usually find in scripture when referring to the Holy Spirit. There are a lot of spirits masquerading around like the Holy Spirit. Beware of them. The Holy Spirit will never contradict the scripture which He has inspired to be written (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:16-17). For instance, there are some who minimize the value and importance of the word of God by quoting the phrase, “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6b). They quote this verse and take it entirely out of context. That is what cults do; they use scripture to lend authority to their teachings but do so by taking scripture out of its context to twist and abuse its original holy intent. [1]
The word of God is not death producing but is “living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s word does spiritual surgery on us. Sometimes that involves killing off our flesh or sinful nature. But those who minimize the importance of God’s word in the life of the Christian, are listening and promoting a the “spirit,” not the Holy Spirit. We should trust but verify everything through the lens of God’s word. “Test all things; hod fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Lastly, Paul mentions “a different gospel which you have not accepted.” The “different gospel” takes many forms today. Sometimes it takes the gospel out of its wholly Bible context to state repentance is not a part of the gospel. Repentance is a part of the true gospel and if it is not always specifically mentioned, it is always implied (e.g., Acts 2:37-39). John the Baptist preached repentance (Matthew 3:2). Jesus preached repentance (Matthew 4:17). Peter preached repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Paul preached repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11). John preached repentance (Revelation 9:20-21; 16:9 and 11). Trust, but verify.
A “different gospel” is a gospel that minimizes holy living. It is a gospel that communicates “go and sin some more,” rather than heeding the words of Jesus who said, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). The idea of Christians using “grace” to condone sin or even promote sin is anathema to Paul. To those who allow and even encourage sinfulness to promote “grace” Paul said, “Certainly not!” (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Wake up people! Jesus came to save us from sin, not allow us to continue in sin. Sin is what sent Jesus to the cross. Sin produces death! We are saved from sin not saved so we can sin some more (e.g., Romans 6:14-23). Paul was inspired to write, “Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. . .. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:6-7 and 11). Read all of Romans 6 and you’ll see that truth as clear as day.
Trust the gospel, but verify that it is indeed, the gospel of the Bible. Yes, Satan is the great deceiver. And because of that, if we see something that sounds good, looks good, and feels good, yes, we can proceed in trust. But don’t trust too far unless you also verify the truth of your experience.
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
When the shepherds came and found the holy couple, they found them just as the angels said they would, “Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” You can trust God’s word. God is faithful to uphold it and protect it. God is true. His word is true. You can analyze it all you want and please do seek to verify it. In the end, every time, you will find God’s word is true. And even in those rare, rare cases where there isn’t a whole lot of information or confirming data, God’s track record makes it a good practice to give God and His word the benefit of the doubt. He’s never been proven wrong or untrue.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
When the shepherds had verified that Messiah was indeed born just as the angels had told them, they “made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child” Jesus. When Jesus rose from the dead the angels told the disciples to “Come, see, . . . go. . . and tell” (Matthew 28:6-7). That’s what we should do in our walk with the Lord. We should first come and see about the gospel and receive it by faith trusting Jesus as Savior. Then we should go and tell others, the whole world about the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As a matter of fact, that is what we should do in every area of life. We should expose lies and proclaim the truth. Be a truth detector. Be a lie exposer. Trust, but verify, and expose every lie!
But eternally speaking, when you have a certain faith, a faith that is true and reliable, it is something that needs to be shared. When we experience the glory of the gospel and of Jesus Christ, truly, that needs to be shared. Truly, if your heart has been altered by God, wild horses won’t keep you from sharing Jesus with others. The shepherds couldn’t help but tell others what and who they had seen and what they had heard. That’s a good example for us to follow. We should use every resource to broadcast Jesus to a world lost in darkness.
This is where some in Bible believing, and Bible revering churches err. We cross our Ts and dot our Is doctrinally. We study verse by verse through scripture. We believe scripture is God’s word. But we don’t tell others about the truth of God’s word. We don’t follow or obey one of the clearest necessities of the revelation of God, to seek and to save the lost. God’s plan for us is to be like Jesus (Romans 8:29). We are to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). We are to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). Jesus came to be a witness to the truth (John 18:37). But He also came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Therefore, we, like Jesus, should have a burning desire and make every effort to proclaim His truth, and seek and save the lost people of this world.
Trust but verify, and then share what has been entrusted and verified to you.
Father we come to You today in Jesus’ name. You have made us aware of the “fake” news and plethora of deceptions in our world today. Father, we have noticed deception outside and around the Church. We have seen it even in Your Church. Father, in Jesus’ name would you please help us discern truth from falsehood, right from wrong, life from death? Holy Spirit, would You help us to know the Truth and live it out in the world today as well as in Your Church? Jesus, would You please keep us by Your side? Would you help us to stay close to You and introduce You to others? LORD, would you help us to know what is right for us to trust in, and help us verify everything by Your word? Would You help us to do all of this, to Your glory? Please make us what we need to be, to do what you call us to do, for Your glory, until You return. We love You LORD. May You be exalted and glorified forever. In Jesus name. Amen.
[1] The context of this phrase is a discussion of the Old versus New Covenants. The “letter” that kills is the letter of the Law of the Old Covenant. That killing is actually good because when we, in our own strength, try to keep the Law in order to be righteous before God, we discover we are weak and powerless to do so. The Letter of the Law kills self-reliance and works righteousness in us. The letter of the Law is therefore “a tutor” which leads us to the cross of Jesus to find mercy and grace (Galatians 3:24). Without that killing, we’d remain hopeless lost.