5 Principles for Discernment

Don’t Believe the First Story You Hear

In this election season, news outlets and social media feeds are overflowing with stories, clips, and soundbites—each one clamoring for our attention, each one claiming to have the “truth.” It’s easy to be swept up by the first version we hear, especially when it’s framed to trigger an emotional response.

But Proverbs 18:17 (NLT) offers a timeless reminder: “The first to speak in court sounds right—until the cross-examination begins.”

In our world today, where misinformation and context-stripped headlines are everywhere, the wisdom of this proverb is more relevant than ever.

What if, instead of jumping to conclusions, we chose to pause, to ask, and to cross-examine?

Here are some ways we can hold tight to wisdom and avoid getting tangled in half-truths.

1. Guard Your Ears from Gossip: Truth Takes Time to Unfold

Gossip, whether in the form of casual conversations or sensational news, often comes to us as the first story, laced with drama and urgency.

This is the bait: the half-truth that begs us to act or react.

Let’s remember that truth isn’t in a rush. It unfolds, layer by layer, often revealing what was hidden. Truth takes time to breathe; lies are in a race. The next time a story catches your ear, resist the urge to decide too soon. Wisdom waits, even when others rush.

2. Ask Yourself: Who’s Benefiting from This Version?

Every story, especially in an election season, has a spin.

People have motives, and narratives have hidden agendas.

Who benefits from this version of the story? Is it meant to sway, to ignite outrage, or to influence votes? When we pause to question, we move from being passive consumers to active seekers of truth.

Don’t be a pawn in someone else’s game—look past the surface and find the motives.

3. Social Media Clips Lie by Omission: Seek the Context

In a world of 10-second soundbites, context is often the first casualty.

These clips are designed to simplify, to stir emotions, to make us judge before we understand. When we see a snippet, we’re only getting the tip of the iceberg.

Truth is complex; it’s rarely black-and-white. 

When tempted to react, take a breath. Truth doesn’t fit in a soundbite. 

Let’s be people who seek the bigger picture and remember that an incomplete story isn’t worth our belief.

4. Be the Cross-Examiner: Give People a Fair Hearing

Proverbs reminds us to give everyone the grace of a full hearing. Cross-examining doesn’t mean we distrust everyone; it means we love truth enough to dig deeper.

What would it look like if we listened with intention and patience? Listening without leaping to conclusions brings wisdom and understanding.

Fair hearing is more than being polite; it’s being wise enough to know that truth deserves more than a snap judgment.

5. Truth Is Often Found in the Middle: Seek a Balanced Perspective

Rarely does one side hold the whole truth. This is why I watch and follow news outlets that lean right and left (honestly though, I'm getting more truth from YouTube nowadays).

This doesn’t mean truth is gray; it means truth is rich and complex, not always obvious at first glance.

It’s okay to be patient, to take in more than one perspective, to weigh the facts. Truth withstands the test of time and scrutiny. Time brings clarity to chaos—let’s give ourselves permission to wait and see.

In a world of half-truths and hasty judgments, let’s hold on to discernment and wisdom.

Proverbs 18:17 isn’t just a reminder for the courtroom; it’s a call for us to embrace the full story, to choose patience over impulse, and to seek understanding over reaction.

This election season, let’s keep our hearts and minds rooted in wisdom, pausing before we’re pulled by the tide of headlines. Wisdom doesn’t rush—it knows that truth, in all its depth and richness, is worth the wait.