The age of the expert has ended.

I think the proliferation of blogs, websites, ezines, and other forms of electronic communication has finally killed the "expert". Now any of us can pose as an "expert", since it is difficult if not impossible to verify a person's true identity on line. Or, if we don't claim to be an expert, we can post on our blog about our experiences, our opinions, decisions, etc. Other people read them (sometimes). These rambling then take on a life of their own, since they are now "in print". Everything you read (besides ads and political speeches) has to be true, right? We were to believe our textbooks in school, so that inculcated a sense that printed information=correct information. No matter who wrote it.

Be careful on line. Be aware of who wrote the information you quote from websites. Be careful with books and tapes and radio and tv programs too. Ask yourself who this writer/actor/speaker is, and what their motivations are in providing this information. Is it information they gleaned from research and scientific trials? Is it gleaned from their own experiences? Is it quoted from others, who quoted it from others, who quoted it from others, until by mere repitition it seemed to become true, even when there is no truth in it?

Most importantly, "Be of sober spirit, be ON THE ALERT. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." When we are on the alert, we watch for things, we question what we see, we don't just ho-hum accept that things are normal unless something jumps out at us. We ask ourselves: "Is this the way things usually are, or is something different here?" We test things.

One important test we have as believers to ask the Spirit of Truth what He thinks of this information. If we sense in our hearts His unease with something, we need to be uneasy about it too. He may reveal to us the problem directly. Or we may need to do further research ourselves about a matter, or talk it over with a respected friend, seek further professional advice. Don't just let it go, and don't repeat something you are uneasy with. BE ALERT.