Little Things From Lisa

A couple of weeks ago I spread fake news on accident. I read a headline,
clicked a link, and ended up on a twitter page that posted an outrageous
legislation that had passed. Life then interrupted me, and I walked away
from the computer and went on with my day.

Later that day, I was with my parents and my sister, and I told them this
piece of news that I had read. We don’t discuss politics in my family
because we don’t all have the same views, but this was so outlandish
that we all agreed it was too much.

And that is because it wasn’t true. It really started nagging at me that I
hadn’t really looked into that information before sharing it. I then
started thinking about who all my family may tell. I couldn’t let it rest
without knowing more, so I went back to my computer and googled the
main headline of the story. The google search brought up HOAX tweet
etc. Ugghh!

I like to think I’m a smart person. I like to believe that I’ve learned to be
thoughtful and thorough. But I blurted out this piece of information just
to be part of the conversation and it wasn’t true. I felt a knot in my
stomach. And I knew I had to correct the situation. My family has a
Facebook page that we communicate through, and I went right on it
that night and told them I had made a mistake. That I had unwittingly
spread fake news. They were gracious and we had a good conversation
about my mistake, encouraging them not to repeat it.

It really bothered me deeply that this happened because I hold to the
scripture we quoted on 4/23 that said, “If anyone speaks, they should
do so as one who speaks the very words of God.” 1 Peter 4:11. I am a
teaching pastor and so everything I say should be weighed much more
carefully. But all of us should remember this every day before we share
information.

Bernard Meltzer who used to give advice on the radio program “What’s
Your Problem” from the 60’s to the 90’s is credited with telling people
that before speaking they should ask themselves four important
questions: Is it kind, is it necessary, it is true, and does it make the
silence better?

In this day and age of instant headlines, click bait, and sensationalism, it
is imperative that we are even more diligent in educating ourselves
thoroughly before attempting to educate the world around us.
Unfortunately, I had to learn that lesson the hard way. I am sharing it
with you so that perhaps I can spare you the embarrassment. Go with
God.