FROM THE EDITORS September 28, 1992 Issue

FROM THE EDITORS

The Editors

"The ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good." How might these words from the Bible's book of Job help us to process the mountain of media information we watch, listen to, and read almost every day? Much of the information is vital to us. We are educated, informed, and entertained in wonderful ways. But how can we be sure that what is not so helpful—what might even be harmful—is separated from the good?

As the Bible counsels, we can "try" the words. We can carefully consider, weigh, and choose what we feel is genuinely good and discard the balance. Yet this also takes spiritual alertness. It requires that we be familiar enough with authentic goodness that we aren't fooled by the subtle ways evil would masquerade as good.

Many people first become familiar with the differences between good and evil through a study of the Bible's Ten Commandments and through a thoughtful examination of Christ Jesus' life and words. The Bible's teachings establish a dependable benchmark with which to "try," or judge, what media information is worthy of our attention. Such moral and spiritual discernment provides a valuable discipline we each can bring to the way we evaluate the media. That discernment can actually have a healing, elevating influence.

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