By Tafadzwa James-Chakala
In an upturning world, where propaganda is knocking at the door of churches, St Matthew’s Anglican, in Nigeria, on its Facebook post has encouraged its parishioners to seek Jesus Christ as he is the way to the truth.
On a Facebook post, seen by ZimGospel Magazine, under the title,” Propaganda: Stop the Spin, Speak the truth,”, Gershenin Paul Dajur expressed his displeasure and frustration over the passing of diluted information.” We live in an age where information is everywhere, but the truth is increasingly scarce,” he said.
Social media and the internet have crafted the world of where the diluted information is disrupting the people as they end up believing in half-truth and distorted news.
“With the rise of social media and digital platforms, propaganda has become a powerful and dangerous weapon. Carefully crafted narratives, often full of half-truths, exaggerations, and emotional triggers, are shared daily, not just by political actors or secular ideologues, but even by professing Christians,” Paul said.
With an increasing and staggering rate of how some churches in the world are coercing people their monies, most people are left with half delivered truth.
“In this noisy and divided world, believers must ask: Are we shaping the conversation with truth, or are we being shaped by the propaganda around us?”
“Propaganda is not merely the use of words; it is the misuse of words. It distorts facts, appeals to emotions, and seeks to influence people not through reasoned truth, but through manipulation,” he said.
Tragically, many Christians have unknowingly become part of this cycle. Most churches have seen believers sharing alarming headlines without verifying facts, forwarding sensational testimonies to stir support, or using their platforms to mock, vilify, or discredit others who disagree.
Churches, denominations, and ministries sometimes inflate numbers, suppress questions, or demonize critics in a bid to preserve reputation or gain influence.
What begins as zeal for the gospel easily becomes a subtle form of propaganda cloaked in religious language.
To discern and avoid this trap, Christians must recognise the common tactics of propaganda and examine them in light of Scripture.
Paul has tabled six key indicators to watch out for, each is crafted with a biblical response:
1. Fear-based Messaging: Using panic, urgency, or threats to manipulate behaviour. Know that God calls us to faith, not fear. Truth leads to peace, not pressure (2 Timothy 1:7).
2. One-sided or Selective Facts: * Presenting information that suits an agenda while ignoring the rest. The truth requires full understanding, not filtered storytelling (Proverbs 18:17).
3. Demonising Opponents: Painting others as enemies, heretics, or deceivers without grace or dialogue. We are called to love, even those we disagree with deeply (Matthew 5:44).
4. Emotionally Loaded Language: Using words designed to provoke anger, fear, or outrage. Christians should speak peaceably, even in truth-telling (Proverbs 15:1).
5. Appeal to Authority Without Evidence:Using titles, reputations, or emotions in place of reasoned truth. God invites us to test all teachings, no one is above the truth (Acts 17:11).
6. Suppressing Questions and Dissent: Silencing voices in the name of “unity” or “loyalty.” True faith welcomes sincere questions and wrestles with complexity (Isaiah 1:18).
In the light of these biblical principles, it becomes clear that propaganda, no matter how cleverly disguised, is not a tool that glorifies God. Ephesians 4:25 reminds us thus: “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour,’ for we are members of one another.” As members of Christ’s body, we are accountable not only for what we say but how we say it. Distorting truth for the sake of defending doctrine or promoting ministry success is still a distortion, and God is not honoured by it.
Ultimately, Christians follow a Saviour who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Jesus never resorted to fear tactics, misinformation, or flattery to gain followers. He spoke the truth in love, even when it cost Him everything.
“If we are to be His disciples, we must walk in His truth, rooted in grace, guided by Scripture, and spoken with humility. Colossians 4:6 urges us, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one,”
“So, in this age of hashtags, hot takes, dragging, and hasty forwards, let us pause. Let us reflect. Let us choose truth over propaganda, grace over sensationalism, and gospel witness over digital warfare. The world does not need louder Christians; it needs truer ones,” he said.
As Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
“Let us be instruments of that freedom, not through manipulation, but through faithful, gracious, and fearless truth,” Dajur Paul concluded.
