I’ve been trying to decide whether to write a blog or not. There are so many out there - is another one needed? Everyone is doing one - so, should I?
But everyone once in awhile, I just have a thought to share that I wonder if it would help others. So I’m going to try my hand at this. And for my first blog, I’m going to tell you my problem with blogs!
I actually have a problem with blogs. Not all blogs as a concept. Rather, a growing concern over the merit that is given to the writings of an individual, simply putting their thoughts and opinions into the world wide web, and those that read them not keeping their minds and emotions in check.
As we are in an age of information, there are books, articles, blogs, research, memes, studies, talk shows, and documentaries about anything and everything under the sun. Many of these are well-written. Many of them contain truth or light. But as Abraham Lincoln once said “Don’t trust everything you read on the internet.”
My concern is as we read a well-meaning article (blog, book, documentary), we are easily swayed by whatever the opinion or pre-supposition is of the writer, simply because it’s communicated well.
We have to remember that many people writing blogs are just sharing their opinions, or their observations of life, how they’re dealing with life. They may not be experts. They may not have full perspective or wisdom. Just what they’ve experienced.
For example, I have read blogs which I knew I probably disagreed with this writer’s sentiments. But as I read, he was very persuasive, using personal experiences and emotional connections which I realized clouded my judgement. Instead of rational thought and leaning on my understanding of Biblical truths, my own emotions were turning my thoughts against what I believed.
I’m not saying we SHOULDN’T be open to other ways of thinking. Actually, just the opposite. We need to be open to what is truth. And we also need to hear others opinions in order to get a perspective of the world and what others are going through. But that means what we view on TV or read in blogs and articles needs to be scrutinized and analyzed and not just accepted.
The Bible says “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
I don’t think most of us go around desiring to find things that are wrong to believe in or to have an opinion on. But we are very easily moved by our emotions. There are some really good communicators out there. But don’t let the flowing words and heart-felt ideas lead you to assuming its right.
Here’s what we SHOULD do:
There’s plenty out there about politics, social issues, religion, parenting styles, or opinions on what diet will give the best results... Don’t just go along with something because it “just makes sense” or it’s the current popular opinion, or because some celebrity said it, or a well-known pastor said it. But also don’t just throw it out the door because of that either.
Don’t create for yourself a set of values, beliefs or way of life just by what a well-spoken, passionate or emotive communicator can give you.
Find what truth there might be in the message. But ultimately find truth, by what is right, loving, integrous, and built around God’s word.
But everyone once in awhile, I just have a thought to share that I wonder if it would help others. So I’m going to try my hand at this. And for my first blog, I’m going to tell you my problem with blogs!
I actually have a problem with blogs. Not all blogs as a concept. Rather, a growing concern over the merit that is given to the writings of an individual, simply putting their thoughts and opinions into the world wide web, and those that read them not keeping their minds and emotions in check.
As we are in an age of information, there are books, articles, blogs, research, memes, studies, talk shows, and documentaries about anything and everything under the sun. Many of these are well-written. Many of them contain truth or light. But as Abraham Lincoln once said “Don’t trust everything you read on the internet.”
My concern is as we read a well-meaning article (blog, book, documentary), we are easily swayed by whatever the opinion or pre-supposition is of the writer, simply because it’s communicated well.
We have to remember that many people writing blogs are just sharing their opinions, or their observations of life, how they’re dealing with life. They may not be experts. They may not have full perspective or wisdom. Just what they’ve experienced.
For example, I have read blogs which I knew I probably disagreed with this writer’s sentiments. But as I read, he was very persuasive, using personal experiences and emotional connections which I realized clouded my judgement. Instead of rational thought and leaning on my understanding of Biblical truths, my own emotions were turning my thoughts against what I believed.
I’m not saying we SHOULDN’T be open to other ways of thinking. Actually, just the opposite. We need to be open to what is truth. And we also need to hear others opinions in order to get a perspective of the world and what others are going through. But that means what we view on TV or read in blogs and articles needs to be scrutinized and analyzed and not just accepted.
The Bible says “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
I don’t think most of us go around desiring to find things that are wrong to believe in or to have an opinion on. But we are very easily moved by our emotions. There are some really good communicators out there. But don’t let the flowing words and heart-felt ideas lead you to assuming its right.
Here’s what we SHOULD do:
- By all means, read, watch and listen. Get information.
- If you’re a Christian, take the opinions expressed in that piece to the Bible. Do a study on the concepts presented. If you’re not sure how to do that, get together with someone else.
- For everyone, even if you’re not a Christian, consider these ideas:
- Is this concept loving to me and loving to others?
- Is this concept morally and ethically right and just?
- Why do I believe what I believe? Is it because that’s what I’ve been taught? Is it because that’s the current popular mindset?
There’s plenty out there about politics, social issues, religion, parenting styles, or opinions on what diet will give the best results... Don’t just go along with something because it “just makes sense” or it’s the current popular opinion, or because some celebrity said it, or a well-known pastor said it. But also don’t just throw it out the door because of that either.
Don’t create for yourself a set of values, beliefs or way of life just by what a well-spoken, passionate or emotive communicator can give you.
Find what truth there might be in the message. But ultimately find truth, by what is right, loving, integrous, and built around God’s word.
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