Resisting the Power of Media Manipulation

My middle son, Jackson, recently informed me that the Internet was "on fire" about an interview conducted by the Nelk Boys, a group of young YouTubers, on their channel with the Israeli Prime Minister.  

These young entrepreneurs have a massive following on YouTube and are what you would probably consider "alt-right influencers."  They are well-known for promoting conspiracy theories and extremist, far-right politics.  

The interviews they conduct are often bizarre (they asked the Prime Minister whether he liked McDonald's over Burger King), and meant to be entertaining, but there is a darker side to what they produce as well.  

Hundreds of thousands of young men in what one journalist calls the "manosphere," who watch the show faithfully, are being fed lies, toxic masculinity, and extremist political rhetoric that is shaping their worldview.  

I'm often troubled by stories I explore, like this one with the Nelk Boys.  Our culture is quickly becoming saturated with them, and they do little more than stoke fears, resentments, and even violence when they are taken to extremes.  

We live in a world where the truth often feels slippery, where headlines shout more about fear than hope, and where mass media frequently bends reality to fit political narratives. 

For those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus, this presents both a challenge and a calling: to discern what is true, to resist being manipulated by fear and division, and to keep our eyes fixed on a greater hope.

George Orwell, in his haunting novel 1984, wrote, “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” His words highlight the dangerous power of those who rewrite history and twist narratives for control. 

Decades later, the band Rage Against the Machine echoed this same line in their song "Testify," a bold anthem against political and corporate manipulation. They go on to declare that the weakness of those in power is “right outside” their door—embodied by those who refuse to be manipulated, those who dare to stand and see clearly.

As Christians, we are called to be those people, to resist being swept away by the constant barrage of fear-driven news cycles and half-truths. We are invited to live differently, to see the world through the lens of God’s kingdom rather than the lenses handed to us by those in power.

Scripture reminds us that our hope does not come from the shifting winds of politics or the day's headlines. 

Our hope comes from the God who has been faithful in the past, who is present with us now, and who promises to carry us into a future filled with His purposes. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who walked with Daniel in the fire, and who raised Jesus from the grave is with us here and now.

When we anchor our hope in God, the noise of media manipulation loses its power. We are no longer tossed about by every narrative of fear or division, because we know who truly holds the past, present, and future. It is not the powers that be, but the God who is Love itself.

Today, choose to resist the negativity that surrounds you. 

Be discerning about what you consume. When the world shouts hopelessness, whisper hope. When fear rises, stand firm in faith. Following Jesus means believing that no matter how dark the headlines, there is light on the other side of every challenge—and that His kingdom will outlast every empire built on fear.

Today's Prayer: 

Lord, in a world filled with noise and confusion, help us to discern Your voice above all others. Teach us to seek Your truth when the world distorts reality and to anchor our hope in Your unchanging love. Guard our hearts from fear and division, and give us the courage to live as people of light, resisting the darkness around us. Remind us that You hold the past, present, and future, and that we can trust You completely with what is to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.