Misinformation

mis·in·for·ma·tion

ˌmisinfərˈmāSH(ə)n/

Noun

1. false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive

Quoted from Wikipedia's page on Misinformation:
"According to Anne Mintz, editor of Web of Deception: Misinformation on the Internet, the best ways to find if information is factual is to use common sense. Look to see if information makes sense, if the founders or reporters of the sites are biased or have an agenda, and look at where the sites may be found. It is highly recommended to look at other sites for that information as it might be published and heavily researched, providing more concrete details."

"Martin Libicki, author of Conquest In Cyberspace: National Security and Information Warfare, noted that the trick to working with misinformation is the idea that readers must have a balance of what is truth and what is wrong. Readers cannot be gullible but cannot be paranoid that all information is incorrect. There is always a chance that even readers who have this balance will believe an error or they will disregard the truth as wrong. Libicki says that prior beliefs or opinions affect how readers interpret information as well. When readers believe something to be true before researching it, they are more likely to believe something that supports their prior thoughts. This may lead readers to believe misinformation."

So, I'm going through my typical morning routine of catching up on any breaking news and looking around to see what the blogosphere is chatting about and I notice a disturbing trend which has gotten progressively worse over the past few years.  This trend is one that is so sinister...so dastardly...it is the viral spread of misinformation.  Whether it be a Chris Brown death hoax, inaccurate facts about Ebola and how to cure it with colloidal silver, or just a blogger that didn't fact check their story..it's everywhere.  The internet can be a great tool however, it can also be a cesspool at times and take you on a bad trip down a rabbit hole. 

Within the networks of the internet, we now have false apostles, teachers, bishops, archbishops, prophets and prophetesses, and ill informed members who are spreading false teachings across the Web quicker than scarlet fever in a work camp!  Facebook and Twitter followings abound for these folks so there's no nook or cranny their distorted teaching can't reach.  Some then take said posts and re-tweet or re-post to others they know and before you know it...we are off to the races!  

Now, I will say that the same way this works for misinformation, it can also work for accurate information.  As I stated earlier, the internet is a great tool when used responsibly.  Part of my personal testimony is that when I had questions about much of the teaching and practices I witnessed in the visible church, I asked the leadership in our assembly.  When I didn't receive an answer or the answer that I was given didn't seem quite right, I was able to find others who had either had the same questions as me or had already answered these questions....on the internet.  Had it not been for some of that information, coupled with a deeper look at the Scriptures, I may have still been confused about quite a few things to this day.  

We as members of the body of Christ have a duty to earnestly contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints.  There are enough people being led astray and deluded into believing many things to include:

1. They will be cursed if they don't pay tithes.(Study the entire book of Hebrews)

2. They can submit to God through submitting to man-appointed "coverings" or "church              leadership" (Matthew 23:8-10)

3. If they don't show up for every "church service" they aren't sold out for God.(Matthew             23:3-7)

4. Ministry comes before family. (1 Timothy 5:8)

5. You can "backslide" and sin all you want and still have a one-way ticket to heaven.              (Hebrews 10:26,27)

6. God only is angry with the sin and not the sinner. (Psalm 7:11)

I could go on and on and on but, I digress.  These are a few of the false teachings being spread in "churches", which are then carried home to the computers of the members and spread over the net.  Perhaps you want to preach but you haven't been green lit by the Pastor yet...Maybe you believe you feel an unorthodox anointing on your life that your Bishop is just too spiritually blind to discern...Maybe you believe the Lord has laid a right-now word on your heart that the people must hear...Have a seat and keep reading!  In the information age, one can pick up a laptop (or portable pulpit as some see it) and preach to the four corners of the Earth.  No research, prayer, study, or true calling needed.  Just a camera, keyboard and laptop.  And good news for them...there are plenty of entertainment hungry, confused folks who are more than happy to oblige and listen to their half baked theology.

We as humans like being affirmed in our beliefs and opinions.  We like being right.  We enjoy getting a pat on the back or feeling like we are privy to information that others aren't. We enjoy having the upper hand and feeling intellectually superior.  *Side note...is this perhaps why some preachers enjoy using terms such as "hermeneutics", "eisegesis", or "testimonium spiritus sancti internum" in the pulpit....what???  No regular everyday church-goer knows what these mean, let alone can they even pronounce them!  "Wow, they're so educated they must know everything about God!"

So, when wannabes can't get the esteem of men in their own assembly and have a platform, they can create one elsewhere.  Some sneak outside their assembly and host their own conferences, engagements and radio shows, etc...others just settle for YouTube, Facebook, or the like. Just so I am clear, I am not referring to all who use these means but there are many who are posing online falsely as something they are not and are spreading false and erroneous teachings all across the world.

Revelations 22:15 states that those who love and make lies will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16.  God's Word is not for us to handle deceitfully but delicately...as led by HIS Spirit.  Any selfish use of God's Word to manipulate, posture, perpetrate, imitate, or miseducate others is dead wrong!  His Word can discern the very intents and motives of our hearts.  Handle with care.  God will NOT lead you to go out and twist HIS Word and incorrectly interpret, apply and explain what you are "teaching"!! Stop telling that lie on Him!  Be honest, you are in your flesh doing what YOU saw as right in YOUR own eyes!  

For readers of internet information, to quote the above article use common sense.  God gave us a brain, the ability to think and reason. We should use it.  If the information we are taking in seems off...it probably is.  The Word is what we will be judged by and is THE final authority.  If it doesn't agree with the Word, cast it away!  Pray for wisdom and discernment and let God be true and every man a liar.