A 2018 MIT study on twitter revealed that false news travels “farther, faster, deeper and more broadly than the truth in all categories of information” (Article) and the conclusion was that it’s not the bots to blame. It’s us.

I guess we haven’t changed much in the last couple of millennia. When the spies went into Canaan to suss out the land, those spreading bad news, or the false report that Israel would be defeated, far outweighed those speaking truth. The Israelites chose to focus and listen to the lies. With that they “raised a loud cry” and wept all night (Numbers 14:1 ESV). Then came the questions of ‘why?’ and the imprudent plans to elect a new leader and return to slavery in Egypt because of course they knew best. Sound familiar?

More than ever in a time of pandemic and political mayhem we need to ensure we’re holding fast to the truth. We can’t be letting our sight, sentiment or surroundings dictate our wellbeing because when we do, we’re on a fast-track straight back to slavery. The slavery of jealousy, greed or lust. The slavery of seeking affirmation, wealth or status. The slavery of addiction, indifference or anger. And all because we listened to something that wasn’t true. Media, gossip, leaders, even friends and loved ones with their best intentions can at times lead us astray.

Come back to the truth.

The belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14) held everything together. The soldier’s weapons, equipment, ropes and food rations. A Roman belt also had strips of armour that hung down to protect the lower body. Without the belt, the rest of the armour was useless.

Jesus said that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8:32). He also said that He is the truth (John 14:6). So if you’ve been floundering recently, or hearing yourself hijacking what God has already spoken, why not avoid returning to slavery and return to Jesus instead? Because after all, He is the one who protects and provides. He is the one who is holding it all together. He is the truth.