TABLOID NEWS FLASH

Test everything that is said 1 Thessalonians 5:21a (TLB)

     There are several verses in the Bible similar to what we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 where it says “test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it.” (TLB) But all to often we fail to check things out as happened to Bernadette one month after a trip to the super market..

     For a whole week, Bernadette had been walking around scared, scared form something she had read while standing in line at the supermarket. This day was no different and Daisy could tell something was bothering Bernadette all through Sunday School. As all the other kids were leaving the class room, Daisy called Bernadette to her desk.

     “Are you okay?” Daisy asked Bernadette when she made it to her desk. “We’re all doomed and there’s no way to escape.” came Bernadette’s reply. “It’s coming from outer space and it’s going to eat all of us.”

     “What’s coming form outer space?” Daisy asked. “The ‘Great Octo’ space creature,” Bernadette told her, “It has eight legs and arms and huge bulgy eyes and it’s the size of a 20 story building and it eats people and nothing can stop it and....” “And I think you’ve been hanging around Harold too much,” Daisy interrupted, “How can you believe such a corny idea?”

     “I haven’t seen Harold in weeks,” Bernadette replied, “He’s too busy chasing Muffy, and the story isn’t corny, it’s true, I read it in the news magazine at the supermarket. Not only are we in trouble from the ‘Great Octo’ space creature, but people are starting to burst into flames while taking showers. I’m afraid to even go near the bath tub.”

     “What news magazine have you been reading?” Daisy asked as she tried to think of one that would publish such corny stories. “The ‘Blue Moon News’,” came Bernadette’s reply. “I read it while I was waiting in line at the checkout stand.” Upon hearing that, Daisy started to laugh, but Bernadette didn’t think it was funny. “What’s so funny?” she asked.

     “Bernadette,” Daisy answered her, “The ‘Blue Moon News’ is nothing but a gossip tabloid. Those stories aren’t true at all.” “A gossip tabloid?” Bernadette said with a bit of surprise in her voice, “You mean I can take showers again, and we’re not going to be eaten by a space creature?” “That’s right.” Daisy encouraged her.

     “That’s great news.” Bernadette exclaimed, “I need to go tell Stella we can take showers again. Thanks for helping me, Daisy.” And with that Bernadette took off with a smile on her face.

     Have you ever heard stories like those Bernadette mentioned? Or read the headlines in the tabloids at the checkout stand? (You wouldn't actually buy one, right) The two stories Bernadette talked about were based on actually headlines I saw while standing in a check out line. I've seen many other headlines and they often make them appear real but you can't believe you read or hear if you do you may end up like Bernadette or Joshua and the Israelites.

     The story I'm referring to is found in Joshua chapter 9 and when we get to verse 3 we read - When the people of Gibeon heard how Joshua had defeated Jericho and Ai, they decided to trick the Israelites. They gathered old sacks and old leather wine bags that were cracked and mended, and they put them on the backs of their donkeys. They put old sandals on their feet and wore old clothes, and they took some dry, moldy bread. Then they went to Joshua in the camp near Gilgal. The men said to Joshua and the Israelites, “We have traveled from a faraway country. Make a peace agreement with us.”

     When we drop down to verse 14 we read that The men of Israel tasted the bread, but they did not ask the Lord what to do. So Joshua agreed to make peace with the Gibeonites and to let them live. And the leaders of the Israelites swore an oath to keep the agreement. Three days after they had made the agreement, the Israelites learned that the Gibeonites lived nearby. (NCV)

     To sum the story up, the Gibeonites lied, Joshua believed them and instead of destroying them as God had commanded the treaty forced Joshua to save them because it was promised before God.

     How easily are we tricked into believing things that are false? Proverbs 14:15 says “A fool will believe anything; smart people watch their step. (TEV) When it comes to some things we almost always disbelieve what we hear or read but there are times when we accept things with out question when we should have checked things out.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - but test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it. (TLB)
• 1 John 4:1 - Dearly loved friends, don't always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around, (TLB)
• Acts 17:10-11 - That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more willing to listen than the Jews in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true. (NCV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you believe things that you should have checked out?
• Do you fail to believe things that you should have checked out?