After being placed on Interpol’s wanted list, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was recently arrested in London on charges of sexual misconduct that occurred in Sweden. The alleged rape charges are serious, but what is it that makes this man come into the limelight above others who commit similar misdeeds? It is his involvement in WikiLeaks that has sparked so much controversy over his arrest and trial.
So what do we do with the flood of information we’re faced with every day? Should we get caught up in conspiracy theories, biased websites and questionable news media for our sources of knowledge?
Use discernment
Knowledge is everywhere! Half of it is rubbish! Wisdom is knowing which types of knowledge are valuable and when to use that knowledge. Discernment is using wisdom to distinguish not only right from wrong, but right from “almost right.” We can certainly glean from valuable information that is instantly accessible to us if we use the filter of wisdom and discernment.
Fear fear
Often our drive for knowledge can be influenced heavily by fear. Perhaps the fast pace of our society mixed with the fear of imminent instability has heightened this drive in recent years. A prophecy relating to the end time (our time now) states that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).
Tame the tongue
Social hysteria over a particular issue, person or event is created out of people simply flapping their gums too much.
Without his association with a controversial website, Assange would not have reached celebrity status and few would have heard about his alleged sexual crimes. Due to his infamy, thrill-seekers, gossipmongers and conspiracy-theorists are flocking to this site, seeking “inside knowledge” so they can redistribute the “new” knowledge. But this type of thing can add to the problem, since every retelling has a tendency to distort the knowledge further from the truth. In our lives we should avoid seeking and spreading questionable knowledge.
Seek true knowledge
God has provided us with answers to life’s questions. We don’t need to turn to WikiLeaks, which is full of distracting trivia, for knowledge when we have God’s living Word, which is the true foundation of knowledge. The Bible is a history book, documentary, action thriller, self-help book, money management guide, marriage guide and so much more!
God also gave us inquiring minds to seek out the truth about this planet and each other, and the potential to create great marvels. We can satisfy our desires for the right kind of knowledge in productive ways in this wonderful and awe-inspiring world we live in.
For more information on information overload, please see “Information Inundation.” VT