DECEPTION OF THE
MEDIA
INTRODUCTION
Deception of the media is being utilized to dwarf acceptance of truth; to enhance a desired slant disguised as the truth. The media can make a person appear as a saint while in fact the exact opposite may be true!
One of the things the media does well is to make a minority look like a majority! The freedom of the press, in lands where it is still a freedom, has been geared towards whatever slant one deems appropriate, utilizing the “freedom of the press” phrase to dominate and control.
Deception of the Media
Web of Deceit
Deception of the media can only be recognized through one’s being aware of the truth; through another venue! There are many who have been taken in by the mainstream media; completely unaware of the web of deceit in which they are feasting upon! The media, in many lands, is being utilized to dominate and control, having arose as a great power, extending its influence by those captivated by its supposed outlet of truth.
Deception of the media is as a fine-tuned instrument that has become skilled in deception; addicted to deceit, towards its desired agenda! Deception is defined as a misleading falsehood, the act of deceiving, with intention to deceive, and exercising a false representation.
Disguise the Truth
Some disguise truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment (La Rockefoucauld). We see headlines, often misleading in nature, to induce a greater clientele to absorb what is being presented as truth!
Deception of the media has grown in amazing proportions, in its reporting, with no concrete proof of its presentation; often quoting a leaked source or whistle blower as its source. Later; if that source proves inaccurate, it is brushed under the carpet, with little or no effort towards retraction!
Enhancing Promotion
Deception of the media utilizes many devices to enhance its desired presentation; including graphics, images, audio and video clips, to name but a few, geared to accomplish its intended slant on the news being presented! It was noted that you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time (Abraham Lincoln).
Thank God for the factual news media, in lands that availability of the truth is still possible, which can be relied upon as unbiased in its reporting? Jesus said: You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32)!
Social Media
Truth or Falsehood
Deception of the media can come in the form of the Social Media which is noted for spreading news, and raise awareness, whether true or false, faster than journalists can write, radio can broadcast, or television air. Social Media can become the mainstream news outlet by those wholeheartedly connected to the Internet; its dominating influence controlling the mindset of the people!
Many jump on the bandwagon of acceptance without regard towards the underlying falsehoods being presented. The merits of justified actions can easily be discarded through deception of the media; or social media declaring its preconceived or desired slant on the issue at hand!
Misrepresentation of the
Truth
The Psalmist David wrote: There is no faithfulness (uprightness) in their mouth; there inward part is very wickedness (destruction); their throat is an open sepulcher (tomb); they flatter with their tongue (Psalm 5:9). His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud (oppression); under his tongue is mischief (trouble) and vanity (iniquity) (Psalm 10:7). Deception of the media could easily fit into the categories David spoke of!
One example is the subject of abortion being a woman’s right; a misrepresentation of the truth, yet expounded upon as truth, by those who desire to be entertained with such a falsehood; that evades any responsibility for the death of the innocent because the law of the land makes it so!
A live viable human being, yet in its mother’s womb; to the time of birth, and in some cases beyond, without guilt being attached to this hideous procedure, of taking of life, but no less in the field of accountability, when judgment takes place before Almighty God; unless repentance happens on the part of the guilty party!
Integrity Threatened
When Job’s (a man of God) integrity was threatened; his response was: You are forgers of lies; you are all physicians of no value (Job 13:4). The first verse of the Book of Job relates that Job was perfect (blameless), and upright, and one that feared (reverenced) God, and shunned evil (Job 1:1); yet his integrity was questioned!
Deception of the media is often a character assassination of those it has targeted; taking one into account with little proof; verbally assaulting them, and marking them with guilt that may or may not be justifiable! Job after going through trying times, was greatly blessed by God, proven beyond any reasonable doubt he was truly a man of integrity!
Freedom and Civil
Liberties
If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands, they must be made brighter in our own. If in other lands, the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our effort here to keep them free.
If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance, we must provide a safe place for their continuation (Franklin D. Roosevelt). Words spoken that have grown more needful in many nations which the fires of freedom and civil liberties have become threatened by those seeking power and dominion!
End of the Age
Jesus described the characteristics of the time leading to the end of the age. He said there would be religious deception, political unrest, natural disasters, wars, and the persecution of believers in Him. In the face of all these happenings, Jesus encouraged His disciples to persevere in faithfulness, making the Gospel known to all the nations (Matthew 18:19-20).
We are seeing such times being manifested in many lands; with the deception of the media playing an active role in what is perceived as truth, rather than actual truth; downplaying instances that are obviously of God’s intervention!
Withdrawal from a Firm
Foundation
Lands that once enjoyed God’s blessings are now seeing troublesome times; having withdrawn from a firm foundation in God! One such instance was noted: We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us (Abraham Lincoln). Have those words been lost in the shuffle of remembrance of the past? Has the deception of the media; no longer embracing the godly enhancement of the past, been partially responsible as well?
Portraying Evil for
Good
Prophet Isaiah cried out: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21)!
Has the deception of the media not played a
significant role in portraying evil for good, darkness for light, bitter for
sweet, being wise in one’s own eyes and prudent in one’s own sight? Has the media created an avenue of acceptability towards the very things Isaiah cried out against? Has the nation once cited
as "One Nation under God" cast aside such, due to allowance being made for
ungodly venues cited as an abomination in the sight of God?
Let No Man Deceive
You
Apostle Paul wrote: Let no man deceive you with vain (empty) words; for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children (sons) of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6). Henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with the wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:14).
Could this not be applied to the deception of the media; that so readily ensnares one into believing a lie; rather than capitalize on the truth? Apostle Paul noted: The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
Practice to Deceive
O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive (Walter Scott). As previously stated: Thank God for those in the field of the media who are presenting the truth rather than contriving a lie; but woe to them that are weaving a tangle web of deceit!
Psalmist David wrote: The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords (Psalm 55:21). Scripture reveals: There is a way that seems right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). The way which seems right may not be the best or righteous way; especially when presented through deception for gain!
Global Conflict
There are countries that seek domination who are utilizing the deception of the media to captivate on desired goals. There is an enhancement towards a global conflict as nations line up with evil rather than good, as conveyed by the Prophet Isaiah (previously mentioned).
There are nations who suppress the role of the media to enhance their desired goals; rather than allow the fires of freedom and civil liberties to abound! In some cases, even the church, has allowed these features to burn low in the land, as they embrace the cultural drifts of our day!
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