Our Fascination

Ever wonder what our fascination with blogs is all about? I mean, if you look into all the blogs on the internet today there are plenty to choose from. Cooking blogs, hobby blogs, blogs about faith, blogs about our favorite celebrities, etc. The writer of Ecclesiastes would say, "There is a blog for everything under the sun."

It's interesting that we have turned into a nation that cares (or at least) looks at differing opinions. Well, at least on some fronts. Or maybe it's because we know what we are going to get when we sign on to someone's blog. Maybe we are just sick of people dancing around certain issues in the news...and we want more...so we find someone who thinks like we do...says what we want to say...and we are hooked.

This, of course, is causing problems with newspaper circulation. People aren't reading the newspaper like they did before because it's not fast enough, current enough, or straight enough for them. But doesn't it take as much time to read something on the internet as it does on paper? Isn't much of the same news that is found in the paper found on the internet? So, if that is the case, why are we blog crazy? You want my opinion? That's why! It's because we agree (at least most of the time) with the opinion of the blogger. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with it - it's just that I'm noticing a trend here that can be both good and bad. It's good when you can unite people for a meaningful cause. It's bad when people are simply being brainwashed.

Scripture actually speaks of this phenomenon. No - I'm not talking about blogging. Don't leave your computer saying that the Bible speaks of blogging. I'm talking about the court of public opinion and the ability to resonate within the hearts and minds of certain individuals. Take a look at 1 John 4:5-6, "They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

John was dealing with false teachers within the church. They had a popular hearing because they spoke as of the world. People listened, agreed, and followed. It's no different today. Why do you think cults are so popular in today's society? Why do you think people will follow certain individuals even unto death? It's because they are saying something that resonates within them. It does not mean that the speaker (or the hearer) is right. It just means that they are in agreement. This is true in the natural world and the spiritual world.

People like Oprah because what she says resonates with them - she speaks as of the world. People like Obama because what he says (or how he says it) resonates with them - he speaks as of the world. People will listen to certain preachers as long as the message continues to resonate with them - if they speak as of the world. It does not matter if it's truth or not, because we have made truth relative in today's society. You see, I have never looked for a following. I have never expected to preach to a large gathering of people because I don't expect the message I bring to resonate with the multitudes. The Bible is in direct contradiction with the world. Truth will always expose a lie, and light will always expose darkness. The problem in today's world is that some would rather stay in a lie or continue in darkness. John said that this is how we would know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Think about it: If I wanted to pastor the largest "church" in America all I have to do is change the message. I don't have to change it completely, but just enough to get people to pay attention. If I made salvation dependant upon the individual rather than faith in Christ, heaven without hell, or a faith that is all inclusive I would get a hearing. It may not be at my current church, but there is always a group ready to hear a message from the world.

What I am saying is that we must always seek truth. Even if truth goes against our ideas. Why? Because TRUTH will set us free. And the thing about truth is that it never changes. What is true in Scripture will always be true. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3:3 he said, "Most assuredly (hear that? truly!!!) I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The truth that Jesus spoke then is the same today. If any of us ever expect to see the kingdom of God we must be born again.

So, as I conclude this blog entry I know that there will be some who agree and some who disagree with me. That's fine. I'm old enough now to know the difference between agreement and acceptance. But you cannot argue with truth whether it's found in a blog or in the Word.