Today's Daily Lesson comes from Psalms 41 verse 6:
Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words;
their heart collects false rumors;
they go outside and spread them.
We are thinking much now as a society about false rumors or what we call "fake news". And we are thinking a great deal about what is necessary, what is lawful, and what is ethical in the way of combatting the sources of fake news. Sadly, some have so abused their freedom of speech that they have lost the privilege of speaking in some platforms. Ultimately, a balance between freedom and truth must be found. The litmus test will probably be harm. For no freedom is absolute -- not when it results in harm.
But while we debate the ethics of the new social media technologies and the rules which will ultimately govern them, let us not forget that while it is technology which delivers fake news, the psalmist is right, it is the human heart that collects it and spreads it.
Let us remember today to guard our hearts. And, let us ask that God would change them also.
St. Paul said of some: "They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
Truth and freedom are not enemies; they are sisters. And when we meet one we meet the other. We know the truth and the truth sets us free. Let us be free indeed.
And let our hearts be pure and our souls saved . . .
Ryon Price is the Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
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