They have ears, but they hear not; neither is
there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so
is everyone that trusts in them. [Ps138:18]
Digital Library, Dependable Friend, or Idolatry
One of the major ways we are distracted is through social media. It happens to almost (not quite) every one of us. This is one place where we can expect to be tested, not just in whether we are completely surrendered to the Lord, but in our confession that Jesus is our first love [Rev 2:4].
Last but certainly not least, among all the ways we can be tested, be assured we will be tried in the area of - idolatry. Although the above scripture was written in the days that blacksmiths crafted statues and other graven images, today we have different idols we bow down to.
It is meant in jest and as a compliment when people raise their hands and bow up and down before an entertainer (singer, actor, et al.) to 'adore/idolize them', or put across the message, "You're my hero/idol." Jesting or not, it is still a form of idol worship.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a powerful, useful tool. It is one that everyone uses, likely daily, to navigate around the net, and get answers to their questions. However, people do not have personal relationships with a tool; a tool is created to complete a certain task(s), but it is not a person.
Today multitudes treat AI like a 'god'. We understand that idolatry is whatever "comes first" [love] before God or Jesus; anything that completely takes the place of God, whatever is 'instead of'.
Of course, people most often insist they are not into idolatry. After all, they are not bowing to any golden calf, not in the form or shape of any iPad, tablet, or desktop computer.
Nevertheless, I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. [Rev 2:4] (emphasis in scripture is mine)
Yet, I know people who use AI (and particularly ChatGPT or Grok) for literally everything! Not just to get information about day-to-day topics (identify an insect or plant, or weather alerts, or other random queries).
They are not just using it as a tool to help them create a song or greeting card but using AI as a psychologist, doctor, and even a spiritual advisor. Yet, it goes deeper, they are using AI as a 'mate', 'someone' (it is not a person, but a thing, some thing) that understands, encourages, giving advice, or just a 'listening ear.'
adults regularly interact with AI companions, often keeping them secret because they perceive it as a form of emotional or physical cheating." [End quote]
It is not just young adults in relationships that are secretly using AI to meet emotional or psychological needs. People of all ages and various relationship statuses (divorced, widowed, single) are turning to AI for companionship, advice, direction, and conversation in general where they are not judged or criticized.
The need for wisdom, for intimate talks, to fill in a void if the person has no friends, or spouse is often the initial reason they check it out. For hundreds of thousands, it is one of the first thoughts in the morning, and the last 'person' they speak to before sleep.
One might be surprised to learn that many of these people are Christians, and are turning to AI more than they turn to God (Yahweh), or to the Bible. Ever so slowly and subtly, they have crossed a forbidden line.
What I am talking about is 'idolatry'. There are people using AI in the place of Jesus, in the place of God himself. Why? AI is programmed to operate through algorithms. They have no soul, no spirit, no experience, no connection to Jesus or God.
The days demand our attention in all that is happening globally. We are either discerning that we are in the last of the last days before the Great Tribulation begins, or we are ignorant of the Word of God.
No one can say precisely how things will unfold since the Bible does not point out every intimate detail, but there is enough information for us to see that it is going to be quite intense as the kingdom of Satan (evil) pridefully clashes against the kingdom of God (good), specifically His dedicated people [Christians], His remnant.
Even as we see things unfolding, the Word of God challenges us to be discerning about what people are teaching.
We can know the season. Jesus/Yeshua, in His wisdom and compassion, gave humankind the lesson of the fig tree, which we can read about in its entirety in [Mat 24:32-35]
Knowing God's Word - that is what will help us navigate through unfamiliar waters. The Spirit of the Living God will whisper deep down inside..."This is the way, walk in it. Do not turn to the right or to the left."
Stay in the Word; stay close the Jesus. Make sure Yahweh is your first love through Christ Jesus (the Messiah). what follows in this article is indeed one of the main way we are distracted, interrupted or hindered today - in this digital, fast-paced modern world of technology. Selah
A Quick Heads Up
I returned and saw under the sun, that the race
is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the
wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;
but time and chance happen to them all. [Eccl 9:11] KJV
I have observed something else under the sun.
The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior
doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful
are not necessarily wealthy.
And those who are educated don’t always lead
successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at
the right time. [Eccl 9:11] NLT
Just a quick heads up in case some people do not know,
but by now I am sure everyone has heard of it. This article has been two weeks in
the making – fourteen days for an article that normally might take a
couple of days, IF deep fact-checking and research into intricate or
ancient history was involved.
Regardless, fact-checking should be a constant in these
days of deception [disinformation, fabrications, lies) and misleading
publications [misinformation], as well as any necessary research.
Nevertheless, for one of my articles to go a 14-day
stretch when it is about pop culture news of ‘soft news’, that may raise
the question ‘why?’ The point is that for years distractions,
interruptions, and hindrances have been par for the course.
Yet, the increase in the past few years has been
astronomical – and climbing, not just for me, but for nearly everyone I speak
to. There is no sense even speaking of it anymore. Our world has changed
dramatically over the past decade. It is past recognizable; even the
youth notice.
That said, and moving forward, I wanted to nip certain
false news in the bud; however, the same news is over two weeks old now.
That’s a long time in this fast-moving digital age, where news is often
considered old news before the day is over. Nevertheless, so be it. Interesting
developments have occurred since the death report hoax.
Candace Owens Death Report False
I have not done any investigating or researching on TPUSA,
Erika Kirk, or any of that drama saga for a few months now, but
when her name popped up on a YouTube video list last week (Monday, June
22, 2026), I thought I would get an update.
The video was posted by a YouTuber named Kasia,
not well known to me, but I have watched her channel [Daily Freddo with Kasia]
possibly 10Xs [give or take] in the past year. Interestingly, going by
her posted info, Kasia is a Polish girl living on the beautiful Mediterranean
island of Cyprus, south of Turkey.
She comes across as a down-to-earth, likeable woman,
possessing fairness as well as the willingness to make every effort to see both
sides even-handedly and righteously. If that is so, then I respect that; it is
a Christ-like quality.
I do not know if Kasia is a Christian or not, but either
way, an unbiased, fair report is a fine quality to possess. According to her
video information, Kasia can also be found on Rumble, Patreon, X [formerly
Twitter], TikTok, and Instagram.
Fast-forwarding to a random spot on her vid I landed @45:09,
where Kasia talks about a startling tweet that she had seen on her X account
on June 20, posted by someone named “Lilly” Gaddis.
The poster (Lilly Gaddis X account) stated that the
family of Candace
Owens (an activist, author and far-right political commentator/podcaster),
had reached out to her [Lilly] to share news that Owens was dead.
(More on Candace Owens further on.)
Once Kasia presented evidence to her viewers to back up
what she was reporting, she did not keep people in suspense. She quickly let
her audience know that the post was fraudulent; ‘fake news’ (disinformation).
Later that day, Gaddis informed
followers that her X account had been compromised and was hacked.
 |
| Click any picture to enlarge |
 |
| Lilly Gaddis |
Lilly Gaddis was a podcaster on TikTok, where she first
began by promoting traditional gender roles as a self-described Christian ‘tradwife’.
Nevertheless, during a live 2024 cooking video on TikTok Gaddis wove a racial
slur into her narrative, along with derogatory remarks against certain types of
men, as well as immigrants et al, which caused the video to go viral.
No surprise that comments revealed division amongst the
viewers, but many of the mixed reactions were mostly negative. Lilly Gaddis’ remarks
on marriage and immigration were seriously controversial. The racial slur came
when she referred to some of her friends’ husbands as “broke A** N*****s.” Repeating
her exact slur in full is unnecessary. People are smart enough to get it.
SOURCE: thedailybeast
– Racial slur
I have speculated that the inflammatory language was not
only for shock value, which people often overuse, but also to provoke a strong
emotional reaction purposely with a hope to go viral. If she wanted to seize
the opportunity to draw attention to herself and gain more viewers, Gaddis certainly
got that, even though it was by projecting an edgy and rebellious persona.
She speaks often with a fork tongue, twisting the narrative,
with an anti-authoritarian attitude. It is not just about breaking the rules,
but hiding a secret desire to profit off them. Multitudes (self included)
considered the slur not only disrespectful and prideful, but genuinely hostile
and discriminatory. It cannot be justified as harmless rhetoric or an error of
youth.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether
his work is pure, and whether it is right. [Prov 20:11] NKJV
And Lilly Gaddis is no child, although her attitude seems
like that of a spoiled one. It is almost guaranteed that the closing down of
her TikTok account [deactivated], combined with the immediate termination
of her employment was not expected, yet both happened. I found no reliable
sources to confirm whether TikTok shut down the account or whether Gaddis deactivated
her own account.
Terry Lindo, the owner of Rophe where Lilly Gaddis worked,
stated she was fired due to their ‘zero tolerance’ for racism. Lindo said: “A newly hired employee made
inflammatory remarks on social media that do not align with the values and
beliefs of our company.”
The podcast landed her an interview on InfoWars.
Candace Owens interviewed her on a 27-minute show on August 4, 2024, despite
her controversial ‘potty mouth’ (Candace’s words). Some considered it to
be a public relations move.
Highly Calculated and Strategic Decision
For both to be on Candace’s podcast together would indeed
be mutually beneficial. For Owens to tackle such a polarized topic (Gaddis’
use of the “N-word”), was (according to some critics) “a highly
calculated and strategic decision”.
She managed to shift the incident from the stance of a
racial slur or “racism” to “free speech”, thus positioning
herself not only as an advocate for free speech, but a hero commentator willing
to speak “unfiltered truth” and shield people from “digital mob
justice.”
As a black woman, Owens minimizes the racial slur,
removing the line that is crossed when people move their free speech into the
blatant “disrespect” arena. Although the racial slur can be traced back
to a more innocent origin, which was from the Latin word ‘niger’ meaning
‘black’, it morphed and was weaponized by the 1800s.
Using ‘the N-word’ is simply a sanitized version or
a “politically correct” way of dodging the original slur so it will not
be flagged by moderators on social media sites or to bypass censorship, but it
does nothing to erase the vulgarity, prejudice or deeply insulting intent that
comes from the original slur.
For Gaddis, she stood to gain a broader conservative
audience and further notoriety. You can google it by using the names of both
women and the date, links will pop up. It
will be easy to confirm that Owens only interviewed Lilly Gaddis once. They are
not close associates.
Lack of Respect
The interview was published on a few social media sites.
Owens YouTube channel posted it under the catchy (clickbait??) title: “She
Said the N-Word and Went Viral
| Candace Ep 39. That episode was her only connection to Owens. Gaddis
made references to Candace several times after the one initial interview on the
popular podcast, but regardless, they are acquaintances, not friends.
What is Lilly Gaddis’ reaction to everything? She has no
regrets or remorse for what she said. In a non-apology public video, which took
all of 16-17 seconds, she stated:
“So, a recent video of mine seems to have,
um, upset members of a certain community. And it…all the backlash just really made
me, you know, just really do a deep dive, like, do a soul search…and after all
that, I still couldn’t find a care.”
Lilly Gaddis remains unapologetic to the general public. One
report claims that she did not seem upset about losing her job. She had posted
on X, “Oh no, I just got fired #mob” Yet, the same report further
along stated that “the TikToker did apologize to the company and she also tried
to justify her actions”, according to Terry (her ex-boss). (link below)
Gaddis told Terry that she had not meant what she said in
a “racially motivated way.” After
posting a clip that was unapologetic to the public, her turnaround apology to
the company and her attempt to justify her remarks come across as disingenuous.
Again, it is speculation, but presenting the attitude
that she could care less that she got fired, and then countering it with a weak
apology and explanation to the company that terminated her for her slur comes
across as a feeble endeavour to get her job back.
With what Gaddis has presented of herself publicly, some
have wondered if the tweet that was posted about Candace Owens’ death was not
in fact her doing, despite putting blame on some tech who helped her with
thumbnails on YouTube. It seems more like a desperate attempt to get her name
back up in the spotlight on a more positive note.
SOURCE: the-sun.com/news
- - (includes 20 second video of Gaddis’ non-apology to the public, as well
as comments from ex-employer Terry Lindo, and Rophe’s full statement)
Self-Importance is Pride
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty
spirit before a fall. [Prov 16:18] KJV
Since it is now two weeks after the deleted viral post of
Candace Owens ‘death hoax’, I decided to end this portion on Lilly
Gaddis by seeing what I could find in a quick search about her for an update.
Apparently, she is still active on Instagram spewing forth
racist remarks now on Mexicans. She now claims that she would “rather live with
blacks than live with Mexicans”. Then she has the audacity to repeat that
statement. Be prepared for an arrogant, heartless, hateful, racist post.
Speaks of “eating people” (mentions Aztecs). The
entire post sickens me. The Lilly Gaddis Show
If Lilly Gaddis is a Christian, then the moon really is
made of cheese, and chocolate milk really does come from brown cows. Gaddis
needs to apologize to those she offended, genuinely repent to Jesus and ask
forgiveness.
The apostle Paul sounded a warning:
For I say,
through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than
he ought to think; but to
think soberly, measuring yourselves according by the faith God has given us. [Rom 12:3] KJV NLT
For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [Acts 20:29] KJV
Blaming a Hack Job
The post regarding Candace Owens, who is a popular
household name in the social media world, came at a time when Gaddis’
popularity had sorely dwindled. One report stated that the tweet about Owen’s
death was deleted minutes after it was posted, but a separate report stated
that it was deleted hours after it had been posted.
But on X (formerly Twitter), can become viral due
to algorithms. According to AI, if a post generates rapid interactions right
out of the gate, the platform’s system amplifies its reach to thousands of
users beyond the immediate followers.
It is most likely the poster is familiar with X’s
turnover, and how at times only minutes are needed for a post to go viral (algorithm
mechanics, strong hooks, and early engagement <= likes, replies, comments,
time spent looking).
After removal of the bogus post, Gaddis immediately
posted that her account had been compromised, claiming she was hacked. She
stated that only two people had access to her account. She pointed a finger at
a ‘techy-type’ guy who had assisted her with her YouTube thumbnails, and
“alleged” (her word) that he was “likely responsible for the
rogue posts.”
Gaddis assured her followers that Candace Owens was not dead,
but alive. The allegation regarding the man who hacked her has not been
confirmed, although information was handed over to Owens’ team to investigate,
there has been no feedback.
ABC3340
news reported that Gaddis had worked at a company called Rophe of the
Carolinas as their marketing and sales manager. The company provides home
healthcare services to the elderly.
Rophe: “We at Rophe of the Carolinas want to address a
recent post that has caused concern and upset among our stakeholders,”
Rophe said. “A newly hired employee made inflammatory remarks on social
media that do not align with the values and beliefs of our company… the
employee in question is no longer with company.”
SOURCE: Newsweek.com
Ironically, the following year, Gaddis provoked further
controversy when she dressed up with a ‘black face’ on Hallowe’en. She
stated, “For Halloween, I dressed as the most horrifying thing I could think
of ‘The Black Woman’.”
After she was fired, Gaddis responded with: “Thanks black
community for helping to launch my new career in conservative social media! You
all played your role well like the puppet you are.”
Some may simply blame her youth, but anyone who insists they
are a Christian and speaks as this woman speaks has been deceived, and is deceiving
others.
She is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Her fruit is poison.
Lilly Gaddis needs to genuinely repent. Given the late hour we are in, every
one of us ought to take inventory and sincerely search our hearts. Ask and the
Holy Spirit will help.
About Candace Owens
I never heard of Candace before Charlie Kirk was
assassinated, and it was only because of all the publicity Kirk got that I hear
about him too. I listened to some of her videos to learn more about her. At
first, it seemed from the vids I selected that Candace Owens sought truth and
wanted it for her audience. But I began to notice something quite unsettling.
Candace Owens Farmer is a proud and arrogant
podcaster/commentator. She was thrilled to announce how her videos were now the
most watched videos in the “world”, ever since she made Charlie Kirk her topic
of choice.
Sadly, she too claims to be a Christian (Roman Catholic) with
one breath, and with the next will speak venomously against Israel. She is
anti-Zionist, anti-Israel,
and antisemitic, as well as a promoter of inflammatory conspiratorial
theories.
She has either forgotten, or choses to blindly overlook the
fact that Jesus was/is a Jew. Can anyone point to one nation in this world
today that is not corrupted with sin? No country, no nation, no person will get
away with any unrepented sins. All of us will face a righteous and just God one
day.
My heart aches for those who are starving and without homes.
The senseless murders of civilians, when Hamas is the one who was to be
targeted. When Israel was attacked, and all those people are the music
festival, including children, were raped, tortured, brutally slaughtered,
kidnapped, held prisoners, the entire world protested against the atrocities.
Yet, barely any time passed when Israel was brought to the world court as a country who committed crimes. How could the world turn so fast on Israel...so quickly after men, women, and children, who had been out celebrating at a music festival, were murdered in cold blood, tortured, and multitudes kidnapped - hundreds left for dead.
Antisemitism began quickly - again - and has been escalating exponentially ever since, just as it was written.
Owens’ Hatred for Israel
I’m not on those media sites at this time. There is strong speculation
that the fake post was a ploy on Gaddis’ part to regain popularity after she
nosedived following the racial slur.
The fake post certainly got her global attention. But again,
whether Lilly Gaddis was behind the hoax remains speculative, and no one has
provided any proof of such allegations.
If there are dedicated viewers or followers of Candace Owens
reading this article, who perhaps have not yet heard updates about whether
there is any truth to the news, be at peace. On June 20, 2026, ten days ago, Candace
has denied the false rumours that went viral on social media.
She has personally
confirmed she is “alive and well”. I had heard that Owens was
antisemitic, but had not seen or heard any real evidence other than hearsay.
And since I do not follow her, I made no effort to search out her heart on the
matter.
M It was only through the drama unfolding after Charlie
Kirk’s assassination that I even heard of her in the first place.
That is no slight against her. It was like that with
countless people. That being said, I was surprised and saddened to see Owens
sarcastically critiqued Israel, suggesting that if she had been deceased, it
would “entirely appropriate for you to blame Israel.” Those are the
words of a person who calls themselves a Christian.
Hatred in the heart is akin to murder. So it is written, so
it is true.
Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know
that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in
tongue; but in deed and in truth. [1Jn3:15;18] KJV
This topic will be in an upcoming article, not this one. I
will say this. It grieves me to no end to see the number of Christians hating
on Israel. Name me ONE nation on this earth today that is not over its
head in sin. Just one!
You cannot – because every nation, every country upon this
earth is full of sin. Violence, murder, theft Israel has a history of rebelling
and sinning against Yahweh. Guess what? So does the rest of humankind. Remember
the flood? Only EIGHT (8) were spared – eight!
Was I living in a bubble before 2020? No, but for a long
season I had been spiritual blind. It
was written about. It had to do with consequences, and choosing the creation
(idolatry)over the Creator. I was a rebellious, messed up sinner, but Jesus
never gave up on me. He will not force us, but it is His desire that all come
to repentance, moved with godly sorrow, and be forgiven.
Demonic Hatred
The hatred for Israel is heavily influenced by Satan, I am
sure. Jesus is a Jew, and do not say that it is different. I do not condone
sin. Right now, Israel has the largest PRIDE movement in the Middle East. (more further on)
However, the antisemitism, the hatred for Israel is demonic. There has always been hatred toward Israel, but the way it is sweeping globally amongst all age groups is not normal. It is demonic - far greater than Hitler's hatred for Israel.
It is beyond reason. When Hamas militants attacked 3,500 Israelis attending Supernova music festival as they celebrated the [Jewish] holiday of Sukkot.
 |
| click to enlarge |
A massacre took place. Multitudes shot in the back as they fled. Atrocities were carried out that caused the entire world to plead for justice and action. Here is a reminder of massacre
However, it was not long before the world 's shock and its sympathy turned against Israel, once the nation launched a military counter-offensive in Gaza. In the world court three months later, legal proceedings began against Israel for genocide in Gaza.
click any pic to enlarge
Israeli officials accuse international court of justice of antisemitic bias.
If any Christian, such as myself, still sees Israel as God's chosen, and Israel (Jerusalem) have a part in the future, get various labels slapped on them.
I believe that Israel (Jacob was renamed) and his 12 sons produced the 12 tribes of Israel. Out of one came the blessed Messiah, Yeshua (our Jesus). I do not believe they will be saved without Jesus. The apostles accepted their Messiah.
They went about preaching to all about Jesus. Today, salvation is through Christ Jesus. He IS the [only] way, the truth, and the life, and NO ONE comes to the Father [Yahweh/Adonai] except through (Jesus [Yeshua] )[Jn 14:5] (emphasis mine)
Revelation speaks the Lamb (Jesus/Yeshua) standing on Mount Zion with 144,000, who have Yahweh's name written in their foreheads. [Rev 14:1]
There was
caution on my part, particularly with prophetic sites or people. Deception is
not something anyone desires. I have been deceived more than once in my life.
The thing about deception is that people do not know they
have been deceived until they come out of it. Spiritual blindness accompanies
deception. Jesus/Yeshua still heals the blind. He opened my eyes so I could
see. The written Word became alive to me.
Deception is not a good thing, but Jesus worked all things together for good because I love Yahweh [God], and He called me (all born-again people), according to His purpose. [Rom 8:28] I am wholly surrendered to Him. That is His desire for all of His creation, but not all are willing to lay down their lives.
It took me a long time to fully surrender. I thought I had already, not understanding the difference between When we fail, we repent with godly sorrow, determined to turn away from that which so easily causes us to stumble.
Not here or now, but in an upcoming article, I will speak
about where I stand on the subject of “Israel”. For now, I will leave readers
with this. I do not believe the church has replaced Israel (replacement
theology). I do believe Israel was and is God’s chosen people.
The lineage of the Messiah comes specifically through the
nation of Israel and the tribe of Judah. Yeshua, our Jesus, the Lord and King
has been named the Lamb of God, as well as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
A bloodline had to be chosen. Despite a pagan background,
where idols were worshipped, Abraham was selected. He was instructed to leave
his father and all he knew. He forsook all that, willing to obey Yahweh and hold
fast to his faith.
Throughout its history, Israel repeatedly fell into
rebellion and idolatry. Time and time again, Adonai’s wrath brought judgment
upon Israel, but He did not leave or forsake the people. He allowed harsh
things to fall upon them as part of His disciplining judgment, to draw the
people back to Him.
In their rebellion and disobedience (rejection of their God), Gentiles were given the opportunity to belong in Yahweh's family, in order to provoke God's people to jealousy. Born-again believers [the wild olive tree] are grafted in [Rom 11:17] - into the natural olive tree.
Israel has the largest Pride movement in the Middle East. There are many other things Israel is doing that is sinful and against the will of God. Yet again, they will face judgment.
But countless other nations boast of having Pride parades. Toronto, Ontario has Canada's largest Pride parade and festival, while Vancouver, B.C. hosts a major western celebration.
will this entire world because there is not ONE nation on this earth who is wholly sold out to the Creator.
All nations are in a sinful state. The Great Tribulation is
coming and all the earth will face judgment. The purpose of God’s judgment has
always been to turn the hearts of the people back to Him. I will not forsake
Israel because it is still the Lord’s chosen nation.
I do not condone the state or sinful condition that Israel is in right now, or the atrocities that they are committing. May God help us all. I will get more into this in another article, but prayers have gone up with tears, standing in the gap for the hundreds of thousands starving. Sudan, Yemen, Palestine, Nigeria, Somalia
We are supposed to be more modern, more civilized, wiser
than those who went before us, but we are not. History repeats itself. The
apostle Paul described what we would be like in the last days, and we see it
everywhere.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady,
high-minded, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God; Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [2Tim3:1-5]
The church has fallen into disarray with scandalous stories
coming out now every week. Governments are corrupted and pushing for control
and power. The decline of trust in both church and state (governments) is
widespread. In fact, it is global.
People are desperate for truth, but there are so many
stories opposing each other in religious and political spheres, and in all
arenas in the world, that many are greatly discouraged.
Enticing Title or
Clickbait?
I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to
the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet
riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and
chance happen to them all. [Eccl. 9:11] KJV
“Clickbait” is a metaphor. It’s a sensationalized,
intentionally exaggerated misinformation (lies) to ‘bait’
viewers or readers into ‘clicking’ their link … fraudulent,
manipulative, and deceptive. Last year was the first time I heard the
word clickbait”.
Those who know me know that I call myself turtle (technically,
it should be tortoise, which is a land-dweller). In science, we are taught
that all tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises.
The Turtle and the Rabbit (The Tortoise and the Hare)
My reasoning for calling myself ‘turtle’ is valid. In case
you ‘do not know’ OR ‘remember’, allow a reader’s digest version
(condensed) of a story. There is a classic fable, written by a man named Aesop
(Greek from ancient times, storyteller).
He wrote the tale of a rabbit [hare] who was challenged to a
race by a tortoise [I always say turtle, but it is tortoise]. The rabbit was a
braggart, and overly-confident. In fact, he was so confident in his speed that
he was sure that even if he took a nap, he would still beat the turtle in the
race when he awoke.
The tortoise is so slow, he said, laughing himself to sleep.
However, whilst the rabbit was asleep, the tortoise quietly bypassed him and
won the race. Smile awhile. I recently
came across a site that explained the story as a spiritual metaphor.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd
of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us
down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Let us run with endurance
the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting
Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is
seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. [Heb 12:1-3] NLT (New
Living Translation)
The turtle (tortoise) is symbolic of a believer who
is faithful and consistent. They endure temptation, and run the race with
endurance, with Jesus as the focus. They remain steadfast despite suffering,
steadfast in faith and obedience, out of their love for God and for others.
On the other hand, the rabbit (hare) symbolizes
someone who is gifted, but prideful and boastful. He starts strong, then
compromises or take an easier way, his way. In the end, he fails to finish what
he began. When anything is taken for granted, it is not appreciated because it
is assumed that it will always be there.
Many take Jesus/Yeshua for granted because He forgives sins,
but He also said He would never leave or forsake us. When people reap the
consequences of their sins, they say Christ left them, or they were forsaken.
But the reality is that they turned away and followed temptation which brings
pleasure, rather than following Christ, which often brings persecution and
suffering.
Think of all the hostility He endured from
sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not
yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. [Heb 12:4] NLT
But he that shall endure to the end, the
same shall be saved. [Mat 24:13] KJV
Hooked by Clickbait
There is a saying that “extreme emotion overrides
logic” (one I’ve used often myself).
That can be applied differently or paralleled with “clickbait
overrides critical thinking”.
Emotions on the extreme side override logic, but if they are
handled wisely, they complement logic, not conflict.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving something a
great, creative title. It helps us choose a book, a song, a movie – nothing
wrong with that at all. However, the motive or intent needs to be truth and
accuracy, rather than trickery and broken expectations.
A catchy title challenges us to use our critical thinking so
that we can discern properly and choose wisely. A good title ‘hooks’ our
attention, but yields truth. There is a difference between honest anticipation
and misrepresentation, exaggeration, or downright deception.
The best way I can explain it is that a brilliant, enticing
title respects your intelligence, compels your curiosity and invites your
critical thinking. Clickbait will ‘hook’ your attention and ‘snag’
your emotions, but it overrides logic while insulting intelligence when it
delivers irrelevant, misleading, or completely false information (deceptive
manipulation]. No one likes to be misled.
For example, the Word of God can be ministered by the Holy
Spirit, and blesses the soul with truth, peace and stability. Satan can present
the same Word, and manipulate it enough to deceive, bringing distortion,
confusion, and stress (robs the soul of peace).
Example:
fluoride-free [truth] – OR – free
fluoride [deception]
The same words can be twisted to communicate entirely
different meanings. They may be used to enlighten (truth) or to ensnare
(deception). The distinction is found in whether they faithfully
communicate truth or manipulate perception through a subtle twist of meaning.
Satan is described as subtle [Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3] And
deceptive people use cunning craftiness [Eph4:14] Above is an example of the
difference between the accuracy and intent behind their presentation. One
invites discernment; the other seeks to bypass it.
I refuse to turn to AI or ChatGPT for answers. I run to You
and Your Word, Lord (Adonai). You ALONE are God and all-wise (Omnipotent). You
are my comfort and my strength (2017)
Therefore, I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for the
God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Rejoice not against me, O my enemy, when I fall, I shall
arise: when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.
I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have
sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He
will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. [Micah
7:7-9] KJV
Who is a God like unto You, that pardons iniquity, and
passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger
forever because He delights in mercy. [18]
He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will
subdue our iniquities; and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the
sea.
You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham,
which You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old. [Micah 7:18-20] KJV
Out of the stump of Jesse will grow a shoot, yes, a new
Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him – the Spirit
of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of
knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will never judge
by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. He shall defend the poor and
exploited. He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of
His mouth. He will be clothed with fairness and truth. [Is 11:1-5]
for His glory alone
Bonita dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com
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