2) The Gospel of Peace (Bryan Gibson)
3) Psalm 119:81-88 (Berean Standard Bible)
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/prov18-2-web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Should Christians React?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Doy Moyer -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bryan Gibson -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lamedh 1) Hear<\/strong> the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) How Should Christians React (Doy Moyer)2) The Gospel of Peace (Bryan Gibson)3) Psalm 119:81-88 (Berean Standard Bible) ——————– -1- […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3564"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3568,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3564\/revisions\/3568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
We are constantly being influenced and, I dare say, manipulated, by images put forward daily in a social media world that virtually always has our attention. These images might be real, but in these days there is a good chance they are not. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) everywhere, along with considerable expertise in photoshopping and video editing, we are often fed images and videos that are deceptive or filled with half-truths. Add to this the number of parody news sites that are now almost indiscernible, where we see images and headlines that look real enough, so we go with it without vetting it further. Then, even if a story is real, we might be hearing only one side of it, and this can be quite dangerous. Consequently, we are open to the deception and respond with knee-jerk reactions and emotions that are not grounded in truth. Once we settle something in our emotions, it\u2019s hard to give up. Then, we are called on to take sides and fight over something that we don\u2019t even know for sure is real, though we react with absolute certainty and crushing partiality.
Does this mean we cannot know the truth of anything? No. Truth is knowable. But this does mean that we need to exercise extra caution and know the potential for deception that permeates social media circles. As with the wise of old, we need to be those who understand the times in which we live (cf. 1 Chron 12:32). Today, that includes a digital world that can feed on lies. Like it or not, this is where we are.
How should Christians react in a world that feeds on half-truths and manipulation? Here are some suggestions:
1. Don\u2019t react in haste. Because of hasty reactions, stories get passed around that just aren\u2019t true, and we then may become guilty of spreading rumors or slander. Slow down. Make sure a story is true, and if we can\u2019t do that, perhaps hold off on passing it around. \u201cWhoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly\u201d (Prov 14:29).
2. Watch the emotional reactions. We are emotional beings, and this can be played upon to manipulate those feelings and turn them into unrighteous anger (which does not produce the righteousness of God, James 1:20). The emotions may be screaming at us to say or do something, but remember that emotions themselves cannot tell us whether something is true. Our emotions react to lies as well as truth. That takes us back to point 1. \u201cA fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion\u201d (Prov 18:2). In our desire to be heard, let us not become the fool.
3. Ask how necessary it is to pass something along, particularly something that foments division and encourages outrage. I may be furthering the devil\u2019s work by helping keep division alive when it was never necessary to enter the fray in the first place. Pick your battles with great care so that when you do join in, you can do so with honesty and assurance (see Prov 10:19).
4. Calmly and kindly point people to truth (Prov 23:23). If you can establish the truth of something by solid evidence, then point people to the evidence and let it speak for itself. Out-yelling someone is not a sign of truth. Persuade through proper reason, not manipulation. This needs to be done apart from party affiliations, for no worldly political party has the corner on the truth market. Be wary of special pleading by ignoring evidence.
5. Seek for unity and peace through love and respect (Rom 12:9-21). I realize that sometimes divisions are inevitable (cf. Matt 10:34-39). But unity needs to be the goal, and this only comes through love, diligence. and honesty in our work ethic.
6. Be open to hearing other perspectives. Is it possible that we have missed something? Have we jumped to conclusions only to find that another explanation makes better sense of a situation? Perhaps we are correct in our understanding, but truth has nothing to fear by investigation. \u201cThe one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him\u201d (Prov 18:17). Have we fairly listened?
7. Always ask what will glorify God. If we hastily react, we might not stop to think about how God would want us to react. He is the Standard to which we look, so let us make sure we are seeking His glory above all. \u201cAnd whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him\u201d (Col 3:17).
Over the years, I bear my share of guilt in violating these principles. In our age wherein deception can take hold quickly and spread like wildfire, Christians need to be cautious in how they react to the various stories and news cycles. This doesn\u2019t mean there is no reaction at all; it does mean that actions need to be measured and reasonable. \u201cLet your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand\u201d (Phil 4:5).
— Via the Bulletin Articles<\/em> from the Vestavia church of Christ, April 26, 2026
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Gospel of Peace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, \u2018If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace<\/strong>! But now they are hidden from your eyes\u2019\u201d (Luke 19:42).
Let us be more determined than ever to preach the \u201cgospel of peace<\/strong>\u201d (Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15), to point others to the \u201cPrince of Peace<\/strong>\u201d (Isaiah 9:6), the ultimate peacemaker<\/strong>, the only One who can break down every source of division and enmity (Ephesians 2:14-18)\u2014between us and God, and between us and our fellow man.
Tell your friends, your neighbors, your family members, the stranger you meet on the street the things which make for their peace<\/strong>. Open their eyes with the gospel; point them to Jesus. Tell them how Jesus “made peace<\/strong> through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). Show them how Jesus can give “rest” to their souls (Matthew 11:28), how sin is really the source of all “unrest.” Tell them how they can have “peace<\/strong> with God” (Romans 5:1), how that peace<\/strong> can be “multiplied” (2 Peter 1:2), and how that same peace<\/strong> can “rule” in their hearts (Colossians 3:15). Explain to them how the peace<\/strong> which Jesus gives is unlike any other (John 14:27), a peace<\/strong> so marvelous it “surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Tell them of the fellowship they can have in the “one body” with the redeemed of all ages, the redeemed “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace<\/strong>, who bring glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15). \u201cBlessed are the peacemakers<\/strong>, for they shall be called sons of God\u201d (Matthew 5:9).
— Via The Weekly Bulletin<\/em> of the Prattmont church of Christ, December 5, 2021
______________<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 119:89-96<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
89<\/sup>Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90<\/sup>Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.
91<\/sup>Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.
92<\/sup>If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.
93<\/sup>I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.
94<\/sup>I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
95<\/sup>The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies.
96<\/sup>I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is without limit.
— Berean Standard Bible
______________<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith <\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized <\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday:<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"