Truth or Nonsense
Truth or Nonsense?
We live in an age where information travels faster than ever before. With a swipe of a finger or a click of a mouse, millions of opinions, videos, articles, and images compete for our attention every second of every day. Social media has become the town square of the twenty-first century, where everyone has a voice, but not everyone speaks the truth. The challenge facing Christians today is not merely deciding what is popular or persuasive – it is determining what is true.
Never before have people had access to so much information. Yet it is so difficult to separate fact from fiction. Artificial intelligence can generate convincing photographs that never existed. Videos can be altered to make people appear to say things they never said. Headlines are often crafted to provoke emotion rather than communicate facts. Rumors spread around the world before the truth has an opportunity to catch up. As believers, we must ask ourselves a simple question: Is what I’m reading true, or is it simply what someone wants me to believe? The apostle Paul warned Timothy: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” – 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV). Those words seem remarkably relevant today. Social media algorithms are designed to show us more of what we already like, often reinforcing our opinions rather than challenging us to seek truth. One of the greatest dangers of social media is that emotion often replaces evidence. A post with thousands of likes may still be false. A video viewed millions of times may still be misleading. A celebrity’s opinion is not automatically wisdom. Popularity has never been God’s measurement of truth. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” – John 14:6 (KJV). Notice he did not say He would point us toward truth. He declared that He is Truth.
The Bible instructs believers to examine what they hear rather than accepting every claim without question. 1 John 4:1 reminds us: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…” This principle extends beyond spiritual teachings. Christians should develop the habit of asking: Who is the source? Is there evidence? Does this agree with God’s Word? Does this produce wisdom or confusion? Am I sharing facts or simply repeating rumors? The ease of clicking “Share” does not remove our responsibility before God. False information can damage reputations, divide families, create fear, and spread unnecessary anger.
Technology evolves almost daily. Social media trends come and go. Political opinions change. Scientific theories continue to develop. Even cultural values shift from one generation to another. But God’s Word remains constant. Isaiah 40:8 declares: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” What was true when Isaiah wrote those words remains true today. Unlike social media, God’s truth does not require updates. It has no algorithm, cannot be manipulated, and never needs correcting. Christians should perhaps spend less time asking, “Is this interesting?” and more time asking, “Is this true?” Before forwarding another story or reposting another sensational headline, we should remember Proverbs 18:13 “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” In other words, gather the facts before reaching conclusions. Truth deserves patience. Rumors demand speed. The world rewards speed. God rewards wisdom.
Jesus prayed these words in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” He did not say that truth would be found in governments, media personalities, influencers, or trending hashtags. He pointed directly toward God’s Word. This does not mean Christians should ignore current events or avoid social media altogether. These platforms can be valuable tools for communication, education, and sharing the Gospel. But they should never become the foundation upon which we build our worldview. Scripture must remain our final authority. Every generation has faced deception in one form or another. Our generation simply carries deception in our pockets. Social media can inform us, entertain us, and even inspire us – but it cannot replace the unchanging truth found in Scripture. When the headlines conflict, when opinions multiply, when influencers compete for our attention, when artificial intelligence blurs the line between reality and fiction… Return to the one source that has never failed. God’s Word. In a world overflowing with noise, confusion, and endless opinions, Christians have an anchor that never changes. The question is no longer merely, “Is it trending?” The question every believer should ask is: “Is it Truth – or is it nonsense?”
Dave