The Final Page
February, 2002
Issue 9.02
By Warren E. Berkley
"Whatever Things Are Of Good Report" -- Philippians. 4:8
It is hard work and it is daily work -- to guard our hearts and watch
our speech. Yet we can and we must assume this work. God has
defined the highest standards of thought: "...whatever things are
true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever
thinks are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these
things," (Phil. 4:8).
If we are not exceedingly careful to guard our hearts, the devil will
assist us in developing an attraction for bad news and beyond that,
an interests in spreading it. If we let this happen, word of some
scandal can stimulate us and hold our attention. You can almost
always draw a crowd by simply walking up to a group and saying,
"did you hear what happened?" Or, draw a larger crowd by saying,
"did you hear what happened to ______ (name of someone known
to the group)?" (See Prov. 26:22).
The medium of communication cannot be blamed; that's not the
location of the real problem. Since the invention of the telephone, it
has been used to spread shocking stories and false reports. Before
that, the printed page was used for the same purpose, and remains
an instrument to the same end today. Cell phones, fax machines
and e-mail connections are constantly humming with suspicions,
hearsay and rumors to the full extent of human imagination. The
problem is not the method. The problem lies in the immature,
impulsive motivations, the poor judgment and the ungodly interests
that prompts such talk.
While modern e-mail is not the problem, it certainly illustrates the
problem. I am staggered by the lack of judgment people use in
forwarding e-mail, with apparently little thought to content,
evidence, origin or effect. My fear is, this lack of good judgment is
not limited to pressing the forward button in an email program. To
supplement this problem, as stories, hoaxes and scams circulate,
they evolve far beyond the original false report.
There seem to be four levels to the problem:
- Originating a report with faulty or incomplete information.
Whatever motivation is claimed, there is never any justification for
exaggerating to advance your case, and never any reason to just
make something up. The Bible offers no argument for any lie! The
truth is, "...all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns
with fire and brimstone, which is the second death," (Rev. 21:8).
No exemption is offered to any liars in this verse or anywhere else
in the Scriptures. Originating a false report is wrong. "An ungodly
man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire," (Prov.
16:27; see also Prov. 17:20).
- Transmitting (forwarding) a false report to others is likewise to
be classified as a sin (Prov. 19:5). When repeating what we have
heard, we ought to exercise the greatest caution (Prov. 11:13;
18:13). Is the report accurate? Has it been altered or enhanced?
What purpose does it serve? Who do we really need to tell?
Honesty before God and man should be the aim of every child of
God (see 2 Cor. 8:21; Prov. 13:17; Prov. 17:4). It is our duty to
think carefully and speak carefully. "The simple believes every
word, but the prudent considers well his steps," (Prov. 14:15). T.
Doy Moyer wrote a good piece about the righteous attitude of
Joseph toward Mary (Matt. 1:18-25). He addressed the matter well
and said: "Christians need to be careful about taking news about
others 'public.' Even if that 'news' is true, is it necessary to tell
others, especially if it will end up needlessly hurting that person's
reputation? Before taking any action, even secretly, we need to
make sure we have the facts, and that they are in proper context.
Perhaps a few reputations might have been spared had that basic
principle been followed," (Focus Magazine, Feb. 1999).
- Altering an account is wrong. Let us never entertain the thought
that defending the truth of God requires that we tell a lie or alter
the truth (Rom. 3:7). Carnal, subjective thinking may suggest that
slightly altering a report will serve some good purpose - in getting
someone's attention or in stressing some danger. But God has given
no instructions to do such a thing. Whatever "cause" or "case" we
believe needs a hearing, God still says: "Do not lie," (Col. 3:9).
- Resisting Correction is a sign of a sinful stubborn heart. It is a
repeated theme in the book of Proverbs (Prov. 12:1). When hearers
respond to our reports with truth that challenges what we have
said/written/forwarded - we need to listen with humility and be
ready to offer corrections or retractions. To continue telling a story
after hearing truth that alters our "version," is stubborn, juvenile,
destructive and ungodly. "And whoever spreads slander is a fool,"
(Prov. 10:18).
We should resolve to have no part in any level of falsehood: Origin,
transmission, alteration or resisting correction. "Commit your
works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established," (Prov.
16:3).
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