The News We Use

Sensationalism draws us to the negative news like flies to honey. We yearn to know “what happened” and “who’s in trouble’ more than we want to know the positive. One news agency said, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Why? Give ’em what they want…

It’s like we enjoy living in the negative news cycle

Microsoft News has a tab called “Good News”. I imagine a few will click on it because they don’t want sappy and syrupy and this is what we think Good News is all about. Most likely stay on the tabs that tell of swinging fists and name-calling.

Good news for some is bad news for others. Flip it. The same is true. Equally, you need to know the source and what their slant on the world is all about!

It’s like reading a book, I want the drama and intensity of a good story, but I skip over those parts that go against my grain. Load it up with murder and mayhem, then I put the book away and look for something more focused on mystery and intrigue. Solving riddles is more enjoyable than thinking about those other story paths.

Maybe that’s why I enjoyed The Hardy Boys as a kid, and perhaps this is what set my focus on what’s good, and what’s bad. Hmmm. Tom Swift. Louis L’Amour. James Michener.

Here’s where I’m thinking this morning:

The reality is some only want to follow the story until they get the scoop. Few will stay around for the continuing saga. Perhaps this is why “reality” programming on the airwaves has found such popularity. They are the new soap operas once only found in the day time. From dates, housemates, wedding hopefuls, singers, and dancers, many stay tuned in week-to-week to find out what drama will next play out in our living rooms.

Few want the old scripted dramas where you can guess the outcome. Others want only the comedy, where they can laugh at others, as well as with a soundtrack that tells them its okay to laugh now.

Do you remember when 9/11 happened? I dug out an old portable TV that was part of our emergency plan and could not stop watching the tragedy unfold. Equally, those following days of the war associated with the terror? Well, coworkers would watch all day, stay up all night, and for a week nothing productive was accomplished.

We follow politics and I can think of nothing more horrendous than the tragedy of doomed players attempting to be the leaders of the free world. It’s not one person! It’s just about all of them!

Maybe this is modern human nature. Follow the tragedies, struggles, and soak up the doom and gloom, but let the Good News be barely noticed.

I’m ready for some Good News that we can all take note of! Flock to the website, follow that social posts, or find it any way you can, but let’s load up on some Good News! Now!

Gospel Good News

Some may not realize it, but the Gospel accounts that talk of Jesus did not show up for decades after he was gone. What filled the gap? The Book of the Acts of the Apostles describes how they went house to house spreading the news, and daily were in the temple teaching and sharing. (Acts 2:42-45)

But we find that there were still those with a wrong view of the news and spread their own personal version of the Gospel accounts. In fact, Paul describes these problems to the church of Corinth. Read the whole chapter, but notice this particular verse.

You seem to be quite patient with anyone who comes to you and tells you about a Jesus that is different from the Jesus we told you about.
You seem very willing to accept a spirit or a message that is different from the Spirit and message that you received from us.
(2 Corinthians 11:4 ERV)

I wonder if we could catch this for a moment. The problem is two-fold. It’s not just the messenger, but the receiver. Both are at fault. It’s not that we need to be critical of every bit of news, but I don’t want to be thought of as gullible also! In fact, Paul warns Timothy of this in his last known letter before his death.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)

I feel like we’ve been here for a while! Itching ears looking for a new sound, a new message, a new revelation. While the focus should be settled on that basic teaching used by Jesus and his disciples to establish the church.

Know Your Source

For me, the source is important. Whether I hear good news or even bad news, I want to know who is sharing, and where the news comes from. Were they an eyewitness of the event? Or is it second-hand news. How reliable can their news be? Is there history for good news? Bad news?

When I read Paul’s writing, his credentials are beyond suspect. (Galatians 1:11-24). Equally, add to that Peter (2 Peter 1:16), John (1 John 1:1, Revelations 1:1-3), then I can say that I’m basing my preaching on those things that came directly from Jesus to his followers, through the years to me.

When it comes to making choices about life, then I say, Know Your Source!