This is the seventh in a series of articles on Truth as a part of the Armor of God.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, many non-believers provide very persuasive arguments for what they believe is true or false. Many push their beliefs and ideas to rally others on their side. They often belittle those who do not agree with them to intimidate them into submission. These manipulators have learned the power of what I call “soundbite mania”; using specific words and catch phrases that solicit the reaction they want from those who do not think for themselves and who often react emotionally rather than logically.
Let me offer a mild example of the soundbite mania we face and how to use the proper feedback in making decisions about it. My discussion about this example may be overly simplified, but my purpose is to illustrate a thought process for evaluating all soundbites.
Recently I saw a commercial on television that was paid for by a particular group seeking support for their cause. The commercial showed several scenes in which different high school sports coaches were with their team in a locker room or on the field. The coach shared with them a letter from the school administration stating that due to budget cuts the school’s sports program was being terminated. The players were devastated. The mood of the commercial was sadness and disappointment. At the end of the commercial was the simple soundbite, “Every child deserves to play!” Emotionally we feel for the kids, and on the surface this soundbite appears true. But let’s take time to think about it. Let’s look beneath the surface.
First what are the issues? When we take time to think about the soundbite, we begin to ask some questions. The context of the commercial appears to be organized high school sports programs. I focus on just two obvious questions about the soundbite that come to my mind. Is organized high school sports an entitlement? If it is an entitlement, then who is responsible for paying the costs of organized sports programs?
Organized sports programs cost money. Salaries, facilities, equipment, uniforms, and tournament fees are just some of the costs involved; and the list goes on. Someone has to pay this cost. If players pay this cost, then only those who have the money can play. Those who do not have the money would not be able to play. If every child is given the opportunity to play, then the costs need to be paid by other sources. Today the majority of these costs are covered by school district budgets that come from county and city tax revenues. Since the current tax revenues are not sufficient to cover all school district costs, sports programs are cut since they are not considered essential in a public education.
Second what decisions are needed? With a better understanding of the issues behind the soundbite, think about the decisions we make if we agree with it. The purpose of the commercial is to get people to accept the soundbite in a subtle way without dealing with the financial consequence. However, by agreeing with the soundbite we are subconsciously making a decision that we support the idea that high school sports are an entitlement. Therefore, we acknowledge that the community as a whole has to pay for the cost of it. By rejecting the soundbite, we are acknowledging that it is not an entitlement and that those who are not involved in organized school sports should not be expected to pay for it.
Third describe the result expected for each decision we make. If we accept the soundbite as true, then when the time comes, we will be expected to vote in favor of tax revenue increases to pay for organized high school sports in our community. If we reject the soundbite as false, then we will likely vote against such tax increases. One unintended consequence of voting for tax increases is the impact to property owners or renters on a fixed income when their property taxes or rents increase. If they cannot afford those increases, then they are impacted negatively. If we accept that school sports are an entitlement then this consequence may be justifiable, but is it loving toward all. If we vote against these tax increases, then children we know may not have sports programs to participate in. Since we believe it’s not an entitlement this consequence may be justifiable, but is it loving toward all?
Whether you agree with this soundbite example or not we should not react to it blindly or emotionally. Understanding the issues behind each soundbite, the decisions that are required, and the consequences of each decision we could make, will help us to be better informed to make good decisions that honor our Lord.
Like this soundbite example, understanding how to align our decisions with the guidance for gentleness, kindness, mercy, and love for one another will require wisdom. The decisions are not always easy. There are many soundbites that will challenge us to deviate from God’s truth. So, understanding them from a biblical perspective is critical to staying on course as believers. When Jesus Christ is our Lord, then we need to put others before ourselves, and forgive them as He forgave us. The new self within us does not become offended by others; that is how the old self responds. Rather, it seeks unity through the love of Jesus Christ. This is the right kind of feedback, and we need to continually apply it in our lives as we navigate through the soundbite mania in the world around us; shaken not stirred.
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All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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