I recall when social media was just getting started seeing a short piece on a medium sized city in the Midwest complete with photographs. It showed the back alleys of that city, some of the run-down neighborhoods, the places that did not shine the type of light upon that place that those who were responsible for it did not like.
I know of a person who enjoys visiting places that are in disrepair in a small rural area, searching for, oddly enough, paranormal occurrences. He was released from his position with one of those small towns for showing what they considered parts of the community that did not portray them in that same favorable light. Beyond the paranormal reasons in the second account, both of these incidences show us part of the way that those who are in authority, and most people, think, hide the unfavorable, even when it is the truth, and show only that which will give the appearance of the positive aspects.
Both were true, there are extremely run-down places and highly elegant areas in any city or location, but one does not put those in authority over those places in a good light. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” (Eccl. 1:14)
Perspective is all that matters.
When my lovely wife and I were blessed to visit an island for a short time, we did not find in any of the brochures photographs of the people who basically lived in what could best be called shacks, those with no running water, we were not shown images of the numerous small run- down buildings where people could drink alcohol from sun-up to sunset, these were not images that would draw people to their island, the expansive beaches and large resorts did. They did not show the extensive trash on those same beaches, in fact, before the sun rose, they would make sure those beaches were clean and swept.
Perspective is all that matters, truth is irrelevant.
I pray for wisdom for myself on a fairly regular basis, and I expect the Lord to answer that prayer because of His promise in James 1:5, “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.” But “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Eccl. 1:18) Those who thirst and hunger for righteousness can see unrighteousness, it is no longer hidden from them behind the perspectives that the world attempts to place in front of all, it is plain and open, and it is hated by us. The truth has set us free, (John 8:32) and that same truth has revealed to us the bondage that the world lies in.
Nearly every major news network and social media outlet across the planet is now under Satanic influence, subtlety and perspective are the wares they sell, and the weak-minded, foolish and blind are their targets. There are of course numerous other possible avenues for information, but unless one is blessed by the Lord with Spiritual discernment, then the truth will remain hidden from you, or at best be seen as questionable.
Both images, at least in the eyes of the world, of that city we mentioned earlier were true, there are places that are not fit for dogs to be at, and there are those that are seen as luxurious, but only to the world. “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19) Behind those buildings and places, all is unrighteous, the best of them is nothing more than a façade, hiding the truth of that false perspective. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
Truth, the truth that only the Lord can show you, comes with a heavy cost, it brings the continual knowledge of unrighteousness, the wisdom that He offers us comes with much grief and sorrow, and the man of God who asks for these blessings must be prepared to live with that knowledge until He is set free from them by death. “The truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32) but there is a large personal price that comes with that freedom.
