Propaganda/Winning the Battle for Your Mind -BUILD UP YOUR DEFENSES

Jesus gave this simple rule for combating propaganda:  "Know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  (John 8:31, 32)  (Note: The problem is a lot of people do not want to know the truth, they would rather have their heads buried in the ground) But since truth is often the first casualty of war, you-like any other soldier in the heat of battle-need a source of trustworthy, reliable information to prevent the enemy from playing tricks with your mind.  Jehovah has provided this. In the pages of the Bible, you can find all you need to combat Satan's propaganda. -2 Timothy 3:16, 17. 

Of course, the great propagandist, Satan, knows this.  So he uses his system of things to discourage Bible reading and study. Do not fall for his devious schemes!  (Ephesians 6:11)  Become "thoroughly  able to comprehend" the full scope of the truth.  (Ephesians 3:18)  That will take real effort on your part.  But remember this basic fact expressed by Noam Chomsky:  "Nobody is going to pour truth into your brain. It's something you have to find out for yourself." So "find out for yourself" by being diligent in  "carefully examining the Scriptures daily." -Acts 17:11. 

Keep in mind that Satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well. Why? Because propaganda  "is likely to be more effective," says one source,  "if people . . . are discouraged from thinking critically."  (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) So never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear.  (Proverbs 14:15)  Use your God-given thinking abilities and power of reason to make the truth your own. -Proverbs 2:10-15; Romans 12:1, 2. 

Next time: Propaganda/Winning the Battle for Your Mind -BEWARE ATTEMPTS TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER

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