DAY SIX: How To Read The News 

How can Christians read the news well? On the one hand, we should resist the urge to think we have to know and comment publicly on everything all the time. On the other hand, we can’t love our neighbors as Jesus commanded us if we pretend nothing is happening. So what does Christian discernment about the news look like? Here are six questions to ask:

1. Do I have the whole story?

Today we are long on skimming and short on actual details. But if we are indeed people who care about truth, we can’t form opinions without getting all of the facts. 

2. Is the writer and media outlet trustworthy?

Don’t fall for clickbait headlines and deceptive copy that frame a story in ways that make the subject look bad. Watch out for all publications, including Christians ones, sadly, that are built on sensationalism and half-truths. 

3. Am I willing to read news from a variety of sources?

We need to read a variety of sources, from a variety of perspectives. This doesn’t mean we abandon core convictions, but that we are willing to face and seek the truth, wherever it leads. 

4. Am I willing to hear bad news about my own tribe?

“Confirmation bias” is the tendency to believe the stories that tell the best news about our guy or our tribe and the worst news about the other guy and the other tribe. We should be willing to acknowledge the fallibility of our own party or movement and willing to acknowledge the goodness of others in another party or movement. 

5. Am I qualified to comment on this issue?

Social media has a habit of compelling you to comment on every news story from every source. But the reality is that commenting on every post isn’t necessary. Sometimes it’s okay to read news and refrain from posting our opinions. 

6. Can I say something constructive that will provoke a healthy conversation?

Even if we have a good understanding of a news story, we should still ask ourselves if we are capable of adding to healthy public discourse. I’m amazed at how often we think cathartic rage-tweeting will convince someone to change their mind about an issue. This doesn’t mean we should never employ strong language in speaking out against evil, but most of the time when we think we are being “prophetic,” we are just acting angrily.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but perhaps these diagnostic questions can help Christians think wiser about reading and reacting to the news. It may keep us from just going along with the currents of social media where narratives and opinions are often formed with heated passions and few facts. It’s important for followers of Jesus to be discerning with our news media diet so we can accurately assess the world and more fully love our neighbors.

This was originally published at Lifeway Voices. 

READ: 

Proverbs 17:28

Philippians 4:8

James 1:19

PRAY: 

Heavenly Father, as I read the news, give me discernment before I react or post an opinion. God, help me to follow your command to love my neighbor in all I say online. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.