Philippians 4:8 - Fake News

How do we know what to believe... or repeat?

We've all heard of fake news, but what is "fake news," exactly? Anything on FaceBook? The latest viral video on YouTube? Is fake news anything from "the other news outlet" that we would usually discount? Or merely anthing that rubs us the wrong way?

Let's assume we've checked out all the facts. We've traced the total context of some "sound bite." Reliable but varied sources confirm a story. An article is peer-reviewed. Should we pay attention to it? Should we repeat it? For Christians, sometimes even "true" stories aren't worth our time--either to read, or to pass on.

What's the standard for how we filter the news?
Philippians 4:8 (New American Standard Bible) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

That's more filters than an N95 mask!
Let me read them again from the New Living Translation:
Whatever is:
true

honorable

right

pure

lovely

admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Sometimes the truth isn't pretty. But it can still be shared in a way that builds up people and relationships--and doesn't tear them down.

Paul summarizes it well:

Ephesians 4:29a (NASB95) Let no unwholesome [Lit, "rotten"] word proceed from your mouth,

Ephesians 4:29b (NLT) Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Father, Give us proper filters for our two ears and two eyes--what we take in.

Give us graciousness and discernment in what comes out of our one mouth.
In the name and love of Christ Jesus, Amen.