Living In A Post-Truth World

"Obama Signs Executive Order Banning The Pledge Of Allegiance In Schools Nationwide!"
 
"Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump for President, Releases Statement."
 
"Trump Offering Free One-Way Tickets to Africa & Mexico for Those Who Wanna Leave America."
 
                These were 3 headlines in 2016 that millions of people read, believed, then shared with friends on social media.  They were amazing stories that either shocked us, made us laugh, or made our blood boil.  Amazing headlines.  Amazing stories.  Amazingly all untrue.  Yes, those were fake headlines, part of what is now dubbed "fake news". 
                What is also amazing is that even the stories about "fake news" can be fake.  Lol.  "Russia admits to designing fake news to upset U.S. election."  True?  Fake?  It's hard to know anymore.  There are many websites that are becoming known for "fake news", which makes them easier to avoid.  But even the major news networks are now being labeled as "fake news", which means we're becoming cynical about what CNN, MSNBC, and FOX NEWS share.  Who is telling us the truth?  Is there a reliable source of truth out there?
                We live in a world of fake news.  We now are asked to accept "alternative facts" as truth.  I recently read an article about "how to respond  to news in a post-truth world".  A "post-truth world"?!!  It's hard not to let cynicism take over and just disbelieve all of it.  Distrust everyone.  Join those guys in their bunkers who've been preparing for the Apocalypse.  Eat all their Spam. 
                Though it seems that truth is being hidden and "alternative facts" are becoming a term we are asked to consider, the truth IS out there.  We may never know whether or not Russia was ever involved in hacking during our last election or whether or not Obama is a Muslim.  We may never feel we can really trust the news networks and what we read on social media.  That's too bad.  It's not the end of the world though, and it's not the end of truth. 
                Truth exists.  Truth is 100% reliable.  Truth has no spin or political allegiance.  Its source is unaffected by WikiLeaks or bribes.  Truth is reliably found in Jesus of Nazareth, the One who said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life".  As the Truth, Jesus also said that the truth would set us free.  What truth did He mean?  The truth about Russian hackers or Obama's vacation homes?  Nope.  He was referring to the truth that Jesus is God and that, at the end of the day, His words are all the truth we really need.                
                So, for those who follow Christ, I'm suggesting that we spend more time reading the words we know to be true than the ones we will always be unsure about (I recommend you start with the Book of John.)  I must admit I'm guilty of spending too much time reading news articles and watching  political interviews.  It can be addictive with all the resources available to us these days.  None of those reports will give us "the words of eternal life" as Peter once noted (John 6:68). 
                A "Kingdom perspective" is what Christ-followers need most, especially in this "post-truth world".  If we focus on the truth Christ presents through His Word, we will begin to see things closer to how God does.  God deals only in truth.  A truly spin-free zone.  The Truth is the lens I desire to see through more often, which means I must spend more time reading and hearing it.  God has given us the Way for living in a "post-truth world".  It always has been and always will be to follow His Son, the Truth.