Proverbs 20.23
“Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.”
This is an echo of several proverbs that condemn deceptive business transactions (see also Proverbs 11:1; 16:11; 20:10). The Lord denounces unethical business practices in the strongest possible terms. To cheat someone is “an abomination to the Lord.”
The principle of this Proverb is bigger than ethics in commercial transactions. It also includes integrity in cultural, social, and political interactions. Fake news in social/political discourse is the equivalent of false scales in commercial transactions. And make no mistake: Wherever it is found, it is an abomination to the Lord.
In today’s society, the amount of cheating and “false scales” being used in political and social interaction is very disheartening and terribly destructive. The pursuit of truth has been replaced by the pushing of narrative. People, pundits, and politicians intentionally promote sound-bites and half-truths and even outright lies … all for the purpose of gaining votes and power.
We live in a dangerous time when politicians will lie about anything to constituents who will believe anything while being enabled by pundits who will say anything. It is a time when people are allowing themselves to be seduced by slogans, are content with clichés, and are being deceived by propaganda.
Objective reference points have been abandoned for personal preference and popular narrative. Thoughtful reason has been replaced by reckless emotion, which makes meaningful discourse and healthy debate virtually impossible.
The bottom line: Be open and honest in your business dealings. Use fair and ethical principles when you buy or sell. And be open and honest in your conversations about social and political issues. You will meet people who have a perspective or opinion that is different from yours. Listen respectfully and seek to understand, then respond with wisdom based on timeless truth.
Make sure you know the reference points for the positions you take, and be careful about the sources you depend on. Do your homework. Beware of confirmation bias. Do not rely solely on sources that simply confirm your presuppositions.
If you do not diligently read and objectively consider the opposing view, then you are not a wise thinker. You are in an echo chamber and are highly vulnerable to being manipulated.
Like it or not, there’s a great deal of fake news being peddled today. I realize you are convinced that most of the fake news comes from “the other side,” but there’s a good chance that “your side” promotes fake news more often than you realize, and you have probably bought into some of it.
Be wise. Be discerning. Trust God and do the work of disciplined thinking.
