As a Journalist, I Can Assure You of This Unwavering Truth

I'm often rebuffed for my conservative beliefs by people who insinuate that I should know better.

As a journalist, … they smugly begin their string of unfounded accusatory criticism.

As a journalist, you should tell the truth.

Of course. I'm meticulously honest.

As a journalist, you shouldn't spread misinformation.

Obviously. I'm devoted to upending falsehoods.

As a journalist, you should be culturally unbiased.

Unquestionably. Were my actions interpreted otherwise?

As a journalist, you shouldn't mix religion and politics.

Is there a difference? Is there? Not to me.

At the core of our existence, don't we each tend to crave goodness, kindness, justice, and liberty? Deep down, don't we want our freedom of self expression to be contained within the protective societal boundaries of fairness, rightness, and even holiness?

Celebrities are expected to be role models, politicians are expected to be honorable, caregivers are expected to be benevolent, and newscasters are expected to be straightforward. And although this well-meaning social construct seems initially plausible on the surface, it crumbles under the slightest scrutiny like a house on sand. ¹ Celebrities frequently stumble, politicians can be corrupted, service providers may fall prey to weakness, and those attempting to discern real facts often find themselves arduously wading through a convoluted sea of half-truths, misdirection, and deliberate lies. Opposing agendas in the battle of good vs. evil have caused a double-minded sense of conviction among us, leaving many like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ² As a result, we are left questioning what defense we have against such an attack on the spirit, soul, and body of our nation.

An allegorical story in the Bible ³ describes a recently-planted wheat field which is infiltrated by an enemy who secretly sows similar-looking weeds among the otherwise healthy plants. Rather than uprooting the weeds upon discovery, the decision is made to allow both plants to grow together until the time of harvest so as not to damage the thriving wheat crop. By doing so, the evil scheme is thwarted and the wheat is wisely saved intact. Similarly, our entire global society is currently suspended in a state of flux with citizens desperately trying to rightly divide the truth ⁴ from a vicious onslaught of ill-intended deceptions. Thus, our collective mettle is being tested like never before as we we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against … spiritual wickedness in high places. ⁵ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ⁶ so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ⁷ For like a master key that unlocks every door, there is one simple answer to every question, one obvious solution to every problem, and one ultimate defense against every devised threat. His name is Jesus.

The individual melding of our political philosophies and religious beliefs is simply the act of expressing who we are by what we do; and ideally, political service should be an authentic reflection of our intrinsic value and fundamental identity. At its purest, politics should be a means by which we follow the example of Jesus Christ who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. ⁸ Surely we can agree on that. In the Bible, James said, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. ⁹ In other words, any religious service or political action is merely the outward expression of our inner faith. It is said that death and life are in the power of the tongue ¹⁰ and that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks ¹¹; but how do you know whether the things you are expressing are actually the unchangeable, unmistakable, undeniable truth?

As a journalist, I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Holy Spirit of truth ¹² has come to guide you into all truth ¹³ so that you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ¹⁴ Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever ¹⁵ said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ¹⁶ Even though we have an enemy who comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: [Jesus has] come that [we] might have life, and that [we] might have it more abundantly. ¹⁷ So let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need ¹⁸ because Jesus Christ Himself has given unto you power … over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ¹⁹

With all my heart, I fervently encourage you to stand with assurance on the simplicity that is in Christ ²⁰ and humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God [by] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ²¹ In everything, keep thy heart with all diligence, ²² and be not conformed to this world, ²³ but remember, If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? ²⁴ We find solace in the fact that, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ²⁵

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil … wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ²⁶

Do you need help?

• For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13


• Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:7-8


• And [the Lord] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Do you need health?

• Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2


• Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:13-16


• Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers[e] diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Luke 4:40

Do you need peace?

• Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27


• These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33


• Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

Do you need answers?

• If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5


• Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7


• And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Do you need provision?

• Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32


• My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19


• Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:31-33

Do you need eternal life?

• [Jesus] his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24


• Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12


• For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9


• There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1


• All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39

After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalm 91

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

• 1. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7: 24-27


• 2. But let him ask in faith, never wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6


• 3. Another parable put [Jesus] forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:24-30


• 4. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15


• 5. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12


• 6. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:27


• 7. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5


• 8. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38


• 9. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:18


• 10. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21


• 11. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34


• 12. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17


• 13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13


• 14. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32


• 15. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. Hebrews 13:8


• 16. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6


• 17. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10


• 18. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16


• 19. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19


• 20. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3


• 21. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7


• 22. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23


• 23. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2


• 24. If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32


• 25. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17


• 26. Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: