“Guard your heart, for out of it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23

Black–pill: verb: “to adopt, or convince someone to adopt a deeply nihilistic or fatalistic worldview.” I’m convinced that no thought, statement or idea devoid of hope ever originates in the heart of the “Father of all encouragement.”  Black-pilling has infected today’s blogosphere. 

Disciples of Jesus are clearly charged to “test all things,” to “speak up” against injustice and corruption, and to “speak the truth in love”, but the Holy Sp; observer of world events, politics, and culture, I spend an unusual amount of time reading news, listening to opinions, and assessing the pulse of society.  That presents me with a serious challenge: How do I discern the truth in what I am taking in?  

Jesus told us we would know a tree by its fruit: “For the mouth speaks what is in the heart. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him… For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.”

Here’s how I’ve learned to discern:

• What is the spirit of this post?  Is it framed in criticism, bitterness, or division?  Then at best it is incomplete, and at worst it’s authored in hell.  It may contain an element of truth, but truth without love is not truth.  (And in the same way, love without truth is not love.)
• Does this post demonize whole groups of people?  That’s called prejudice and bigotry, which is unbecoming of a disciple. Truth properly applied will condemn sin, but never people.  “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”  Jesus Himself explained “…I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”  
• Does this post offer hope?  The Holy Spirit always offers light, redemption and hope.  Am I motivated to pray?  To take loving action?  To take steps forward?  Then It’s quite likely from the heart of God. 
  
  As ambassadors of the King, let’s guard our hearts from black-pilling.
  

Matthew 12:33-34; Luke 6:44; John 12:47