By Janice Gentles-Jones
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.
Propaganda abounds today as in all periods of history. We are not exempt from this rite of passage within a civilized society. Technology and the Internet makes it easier and faster to manipulate information into half-truths, lies and rumors to influence public opinion. But while propaganda divides, God’s Word unites.
Christians today are subjected to ‘hater’ or ‘canceled’ status when we do not accept the culture’s propaganda. Things that are biblically evil are being sold to us as good. The truth of marriage, gender, origins, and life have all been distorted. Our biblical beliefs have become a symbol of hatred for progress, science, and freedom. The worst part of this is when the propaganda divides churches and individual Christians.
Jeremiah 23:1-2 warns, “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Division among God’s people is contrary to His plan but nevertheless it is prevalent. God assures us though that:
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
While these words of unity were directed at Israel, God in His mercy included us Gentiles as we are told in Ephesians 11:15-20:
by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
God’s plan has always been about unity and reconciliation through Jesus. Listen carefully to what the culture calls truth and evaluate those ideas by God’s Word. Are these ideas uniting us in Christ or with the world? The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:1). To prevent division among ourselves, let us continually ask ‘Is this true according to God’s Word?’ For when we are rooted in God’s Word and not divided by cultural propaganda, we serve God best. So let us remain firm in God’s Truth and keep our eyes on eternity with Him.