In a world where headlines scream for attention, it’s important to recognise that most of the news stories, blog posts and articles online are written to be sensational. Facts and truth take a back seat to emotions. The stories and concepts are presented in a way that is intended to provoke public interest or excitement, at the expense of accuracy. This is a form of deception, falsehood and it is a manifestation of wickedness. We can associate sensational news and articles with wicked imaginations and false witnessing based on Proverbs 6:16-19, which lists the things the Lord despises. Sensationalism misleads, just as a wicked heart does.
Sensational headlines, like an evil heart, distort and deceive reality. They instill resentment and other negative emotions. In some cases, they provide false hope where none exists. “The Headlines Are Raining Cats And Dogs” represents the absurdity of certain news stories, prompting us to question our assumptions. John 8:32 declares that “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” If you want to advance, you must arm yourself with the truth. To get things done, you need wisdom and the truth. And it’s a serious issue if you can’t rely on the news and online sources to tell you the truth.
You have to teach yourself to cling to truth in the face of sensationalism. Avoid the pitfalls of misinformation by discerning the heart behind the headlines. Every organization or individual publishing online is driven by a motive. Motives that might not be necessarily financial. As an example, the Watching the World devotional is driven by a burden of purpose to help you understand the world around you enough to find your God-given role within it. In a world of sensational headlines, discernment is required. Learn to read the same stories from a variety of sources that provide different perspectives. Read to understand trends rather than following them blindly.
