Be Careful What You Hear

A narrative is a spoken or written account of connected events. A story that may be fact or fiction.

There are four types of narratives.

A linear narrative presents a story in the chronological order in which events happened.

A non linear narrative presents the story out of order. Using flash backs or a shift in chronological order using forms of literary devices.

A quest narrative is a story in which the protagonist works hard at pursuing a goal. The character faces a hardship or obstacle.

The view point narrative expresses personal subjective opinions using sensory perceptions interjected by the speaker.

When a narrative is put forth its goal is to convince the hearer of a truth or merit within a story.

Very infrequently is a story presented in which the speaker tells you upfront the motive is to deceive or lie.

In effect a narrative actually tries to convince of something. Convince of an opinion, an argument or a persuasive objective.

A common method used to persuade others to a view point is using a narrative charged with emotional rhetoric.

Words that appeal to the audience are used often in the creation of narratives. Facts can be manipulated when emotion dominates the narrative. Characters can be sympathized with, actions related to and opinions empathized.

While Jesus did use story and metaphors to relay his message he never appealed to the emotions overriding the facts.

Determining truth requires determining the facts. Emotions need to be put aside in order to discern the objective of the narrative. What is the narrative trying to do? What are you trying to be convinced of?

Look carefully at the emotionally charged language being used in a narrative. Is the order of the story chronologically put forth with evidence or does the narrative shift events in order to confuse? Does the story omit facts or add to the facts?

Are suppositions being interjected which try to sway towards opinion rather than the evidence?

While everyone is entitled to opinion they are not entitled to alter facts in order to persuade.

This is why the Lord says in his word. “Be careful what you hear.”

The ear listening to emotionally charged rhetoric will eventually be persuaded to believe that narrative.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 2 Timothy 4:3

The Lord tells us in scriptures to incline our ears to hear his word. Proverbs 4:20

When our ears are open to heaven we are then able to receive knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

God’s word is a lamp to our feet! A light to our path! Giving direction for our lives. Psalms 119: 105

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:22

Whose narrative are you listening to?

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