Fake News, Faith & Freedom
Our 10-year-old dog, Amos, is a spunky, high-spirited creature. Part black lab and Weimaraner - he has the energy to spare. Sometimes he uses that energy to eat anything in sight. Recently, he did just that after I put some lawn food down on our grass to spry things up a bit for Spring. Amos started eating it…not good! For him or us!
So, I quickly disciplined Amos for eating something not good for him. Especially, when he knows better. Now, he was eating a piece of a ball he likes to play with or some wood chips I would not have been so urgent. However, I knew his delicate stomach would not do well with lawn food. Therefore, I was immediate in my response. It was for his benefit.
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches has an urgent or immediate nature to it. The local churches in the southern region of Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey were allowing false teachers to come in and feed them “fake news.” Some Judaizers had infiltrated the churches and were teaching that God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ was not enough to please God for salvation or to get to heaven.
These false teachers were teaching that rituals, rites, and religious activities were necessary to please God. In essence, they were proclaiming that these men and women must be like the Jews and obey the Mosaic Law in order to please God. Paul wrote to combat this false teaching and he did so with a sense of urgency because of the truth of the gospel was at stake. Just like the lawn food was dangerous to Amos’ well-being…the false teaching was dangerous to the well-being of the Galatian churches.
Paul writes, “I am astonished that you are deserting Him who called you,” Gal. 1:6. Why? Because they were falling for this fake news. They were distorting or perverting the true gospel. They were teaching that faith in Christ was not enough. This is truly fake news!
A few observations:
First, Satan is the creator of fake news.
He started his campaign in the garden. He told Eve that what God had told her was wrong. Satan convinced Eve to follow his lies. Satan has made a living out of lying. He is a liar. He is a murderer. His handiwork was all over the Galatian scenario and his handiwork is all over fake news, today. Satan’s minions also make a living out of lying.
Second, false teaching corrupts, confuses, and is cursed.
The false teachers were teaching the corrupting statements that men and women should clean themselves up before coming to God. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches us that we are incapable of cleaning ourselves up. We come as we are…with humility and repentance. He saves us and cleanses us. The false teaching causes confusion…Satan is the author of confusion. Paul says these and any false teachers will be cursed. God does not take lightly someone messing with His pure message. His message is that Christ is enough…He and He alone is sufficient to save!
Third, Paul displays the character of true servanthood.
A genuine follower of the Lord is loyal to Him. He/she is both submissive and serving. A true servant does not tamper with his Master’s message. Instead, a servant has the heart of his/her Master and serves both Him and others with the same veracity of the Master. Our character matters. We must be submissive and loyal to the Lord Jesus and His message of faith and freedom!
In conclusion, friend…please be discerning enough to know when you encounter fake news. The devil presents himself as an angel of light. So, be aware and alert. Fake news has been in existence throughout human history. It’s not new. The origin of fake news is found in the Garden of Eden. Satan was its promoter. Don’t associate with or take in false teachers…they will be cursed. You do not want to be a part of that! Stay close to God and clean by reading the Scriptures, praying, and worshiping with fellow believers. This way you can enjoy the faith and freedom He has provided with clarity of purpose and a commitment to His plan for you!
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