Integrity and Discernment in an Age of Spin News channels are ablaze with the pre-debate discussion of the first Presidential debate scheduled in four hours. According to the pundits each debate will consist of two debates, the actual debate and the spin that each campaign will give to it after the event. Spin, it’s a major component of politics. In a race for the US Senate in 1950, Floridian George Smathers was one of the most creative spin-makers of all times. When he wanted to sling mud against the incumbent Claude Peppers, he accused Pepper of being “a known extrovert.” He even went so far as to say Pepper’s sister was “a thespian” and his brother was “a practicing homo sapiens.” Then to make it really personal, he charged his opponent of “openly matriculating” when he attended college. Finally he asserted that prior to his marriage, Pepper had been “engaged in celibacy!” Only a discerning person could see the comedic humor to his accusations. In this age of spin, truth still matters, now more that ever. Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” This passage (Ephesians 4:14-16) shows how our maturity in Christ keeps us from being tossed about by the winds and waves of our time. This world is spinning out of control. It needs the stabilizing influence of a church that speaks the truth in love. Let us be people of great integrity and spiritual discernment as we call upon God for Go His wisdom. James 1:5-7 exhorts us to ask God for His wisdom and fully expect Him to keep us unwavering in these turbulent times. The world is waiting for the people of d to demonstrate integrity and spiritual discernment in this age of spin. With Jesus’ help, we can be those people.
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