Spreading Messages
We live in an age marked by what is called “disruptive communication.” It is planned, intentional, and effective. What was once news reporting (think Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, David Brinkley, et al) has evolved into an endless stream of opinion programs hosted by talking heads mouthing talking points. The message has morphed from, “Here’s what’s happening,” to “Here’s what you should think or believe.” The scripts are tight and followed with religious fervor.
Entire organizations have been formed, at the cost of billions of dollars, for the sole purpose of collating and disseminating disinformation and misinformation. Prescribed narratives are followed with such precision that audio/video feeds from fifty distinct broadcasts can be played simultaneously and the message delivery blends like a well synchronized choir.
My parents’ generation got its news within hours to a few days, and their parents’ within days to a couple of weeks, the current generation has access to information at the speed of an electrical impulse. Event reports are often viewable in real time or near real time. Few to no filters are utilized and little, if any, vetting takes place. The information/disinformation consumers are left to make their own determinations regarding the verity of the messages they see and hear.
Wisdom Sources
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
– James 3:15-17, ESV
It seems there are varieties or types of wisdom, and each type or variety has its own source. James says there is a wisdom that is earthly, and there is a wisdom that is heavenly. Each wisdom leads us to a distinct outcome.
Earthly Wisdom
Earthly wisdom leads to jealousy, envy, narcissistic ambition, and strife. Vile practices ensue. Just close your eyes and think of the inevitable outcomes of selfish ambition in today’s society. Consider the choices made by power-hungry politicians and corporate officials—the compromises they will make to realize their personal ambitions. The drive for power, success, and control, overrides ethical and moral concerns. This is the wisdom of the world. It drives the sensual ambitions.
Wisdom From Above
Now, ponder and feel this striking contrast. True wisdom, wisdom from above, is:
- pure
- peaceable
- gentle
- open to reason
- full of mercy and good fruits
- impartial
- sincere
When engaged with others, or observing an engagement with others, even the most cursory observation should reveal the source of the messages. It the content pure, or filthy? Is it peaceable or agitated? Is it gentle or harsh? Is it open to reason or intolerant of different viewpoints?
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
– 1 John 2:15-17, ESV
Where John has prudently exhorted us not to love the world or the things in the world, my tendency is to focus, rather, on what to do rather than not do. Rather than fight against the world, we can give attention to cultivating purity, peace, gentleness, teachability, mercy, Spirit fruit,1 fairness, and sincerity. Or to put it even more succinctly:
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
– Micah 6:8, ESV
Overcoming the world is not the engagement of a better argument, a blind eye, or a different news channel. The victory that overcomes the world is our faith.2 The devil and his minions of darkness are at work, trying to destroy the work of God in your life, but their efforts will be fruitless.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
– 1 John 3:8b, ESV
Satan’s defeat is sealed, and he is, therefore, unworthy of our attention. My victory and yours is secured by the cross and Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. Therefore, pursue what is good, pure, true, and righteous. Walk without cowering. Jesus has triumphed over the principalities and powers of this world, making an open spectacle of them.3
Blessings upon you, my friends.
Victoriously in Christ!
– damon
DamonJGray.org
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1. Galations 5:22
2. 1 John 5:4
3. Colossians 2:15
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When I read James’s list of heavenly wisdom, the attribute which comes to mind is humility–I picture humility as “backing up” purity, peace, gentleness, being open to reason, being merciful, being full of good fruit, being impartial and sincere. Without humility, a person cannot have those attributes. They flow through each other, in a sense.
You’re so right, Peggy!! God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
It’s good to hear from you.
Thank you. I saw the news about the flooding in WA, and wondered how you and your wife are doing.
Thank you for asking. That’s kind of you.
Flooding to this region is not uncommon, but this year has broken records. The rain has been relentless. Road closures, mudslides, evacuations of low-lying towns, etc. The small city Alean and I live in is kind of up on a rise . . . well, most of it is. Fortunatley, we are un-flooded at the moment.