Fake News.

Have you heard that term a lot lately? In fact, 82 percent of us admit that we have been duped by “fake news.”

Before that term became a thing, the apostle Paul cautioned the church about fake news. Knowing that this would be his last time seeing his friends at the church in Ephesus, Paul warned them: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will rise up from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert.” (Acts 20:29-31a)

It might have been more comforting for the church in Ephesus if Paul had said, “Hey, after I’m gone people from outside the church are going to try to lure you away from the true teaching of Christ.”

They would expect that and could prepare for it.

However, Paul doesn’t say that. He specifically says that leaders were going to come out of their very number distorting the truth and leading people astray.

From the very beginning, Satan has been spreading fake news about God. He lured the first humans away from God’s best for them with these simple words: “Did God really say…” (Gen. 3:1)

He sowed doubts about the goodness of God’s character and about what He really expects of us with that tiny phrase and not much has changed since then.

To us that may look like certain pastors, popular authors, seminary professors, bloggers with huge followings, etc, might actually be savage wolves luring people into following them away from the truth found in scripture. The results can be devastating.

The good news is, you and I don’t have to fall victims to fake news about God.

We want to be in a thriving, growing relationship with our Creator, and so, we combat the “fake news” about Him that is all around us by faithfully studying scripture. David wrote, “I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

The more that Scripture is lovingly written on our hearts, the more it’s truth will set us free.