According to systematic research within the field of child psychology, there are benefits for children engaging in pretend games. Based upon an article in Psychology Today, Jerome and Dorothy Singer suggest this type of behavior is acceptable up to age seven. Recent studies have found cognitive benefits to pretending as participants increase their language usage while role playing adults. Meanwhile, the concept “theory of the mind” is developed and enhanced by children who exercise their imaginations by pretending.
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction, 2 Peter 2:1.
If you had to summarize 2017 in American History, some might suggest this is the year of “fake news.” After a series of anonymous sources, articles and media reports were proven to be false, president Donald Trump took a phrase previously used and made fake news his trademark term. As a former journalist, I know that there is a degree of truth in every statement. However, when a bias exists within the mainstream media, exaggerations, opinions and theories are often shaped in such a way to be conceived as fact or the truth. Perhaps, some individuals have never grown up, still pretending as if a six or seven year old. This behavior has tainted current journalists and reporters, causing the average American to wonder, “maybe this story is make believe?”
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world, 1 John 4:1.
As you grow older, you will meet adults who want to hear themselves speak. Maybe, these individuals were ignored as children growing up. On some occasions I have met co-workers who pretend to living an amazing life. Upon further review, digging deeper through a series of questions, I discovered these adults were simply living a lie. According to the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, the first century was full of people who twisted the truth. Thus, unless you test what you hear against the Bible, history and reality, you become vulnerable to believing a distortion of the truth. May the lessons of 2017 make you wiser in 2018, practicing the advice of the Bible by dong your homework before believing that which is reported.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 