2021 | Week of July 5 | Radio Transcript #1419 (Re-aired from week of Nov. 30, 2020)
In general human beings don’t like being lied to. But because unregenerate, unsaved people are, according to Scripture, of their father Satan, who is the father of lies, lying happens all the time. Certainly and sadly, Christians aren’t immune to this sin that destroys trust, shatters relationships, and ensnares us.
One of the hardest things to do today is to figure out when someone is lying, especially on issues and situations that are difficult for us to actually ferret out the truth. What to do in those situations? First, as believers we need to pray that God would give us great discernment as we seek to know the truth on the important issues impacting our lives and decisions today. Second, we must consider the character of the source of the information. If the character or reputation of the source is in anyway questionable, dig more. Third, check with others you trust to verify what you think is the truth. Fourth, keeping asking yourself if what you are being told squares with reality and with the Word of God.
I want you to know I followed these guidelines when I was reading a new book by former Congressman Jim DeMint. Just published in October, They’re Lying to You! 10 Lies that Shape Your Truth seeks to expose lies that we as Americans are regularly being told. This isn’t a push for the book or even a book review, but I think the issues bear mentioning.
The first lie is that religion is hate. As DeMint says, nothing could be further from the truth. Christianity in particular is the antithesis of hate; but in order to advance a liberal, progressive agenda, religion must be made to be the source of hate so that those living according to their faith, especially Christians, are silenced out of fear or by government sanction.
The second lie is that America is racist and evil. The facts simply do not support this. The 1619 Project is filled with error—outright lies about the founding of this country. While our history does not support this allegation, we are every day from multiple sources told we have systemic racism in this country.
Lie number three is that climate change is the greatest threat to mankind. Again, the actual facts to support this assertion just aren’t there; but anyone who pushes back against this pronouncement is marked as wanting to destroy people.
The fourth lie is that white people are privileged—a great example of repeating something often enough that eventually people just assume it is truthful. As DeMint points out, no one of any race should be preferred or discriminated against based on skin color; but to allege white people are privileged is about power and control.
The fifth lie is that women are disadvantaged. While true in some ways in the corporate world years ago, it’s just not true today; but keeping the lie going allows people to be controlled.
Lie number six is capitalism is for the greedy rich. This comes from years of students in public schools being told capitalism is evil and socialism is not. Again, reality and facts over the years just don’t bear this out.
The seventh lie is that big government is good for the poor—when exactly the opposite is true. Big government keeps people poor—because again, controlling them is easier if they are poor.
Lie number eight is that open borders are compassionate. Compassionate for whom? American workers? Legal immigrants? Taxpayers?
Lie number nine is that if we don’t agree with the Left, we are racist. That’s just name calling in an attempt to shut us down and scare us into silence because today about the worst thing you can say about a person is that he or she is racist. Proof and truth are inconsequential.
And lie number ten is that the Constitution is outdated, unfair and unnecessary. Again, just the opposite is true. The founders wisely gave us a foundational rule-of-law document that supersedes time and specific circumstances but yet can be amended as necessary. But if the Constitution can be set aside, then the door is wide open for the total destruction of our Republic.
DeMint gives hard data to prove each lie wrong and also discusses why the lie is prevalent. I appreciate both of these because it adds to the credibility of what he is asserting.
Once we know we’ve been lied to and we have truth to counter the lies, what’s our next step? I think we share what we know—with tact, civility, and graciousness—but we definitely do what we can to make sure people know the truth so they can make wise choices and engage in difference-making conversations and activities. Indeed, the truth makes us free.
This is Julaine Appling for Wisconsin Family Council reminding you the prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”