"The Original Spin"

“The Original Spin”

From 1996-2002 ABC aired the sitcom “Spin City”. Its premise was the fictionalized inner workings of the New York City mayor’s office in which the main character (portrayed by Michael J. Fox) sought to make the city administration look good and efficient by reframing the true facts. (The term “spin doctor” had emerged during the 1980’s to describe a person who gives a favorable interpretation of circumstances to media outlets.} In the real political world “spinning” has become an art form to promote personal and party agendas. (See the earlier posting “The Spin Cycle” for another look at this theme.)

Spinning uses disingenuous, deceptive, manipulative and other questionable tactics to distort words and events to achieve desired ends. Given human nature it shouldn’t surprise us that although it’s become much more commonplace in recent years it’s nothing new—it goes back to the Garden of Eden. In his conversation with Eve recorded in Genesis 3:1-6 the devil used disingenuous, deceptive and manipulative tactics to lead her to eat from the tree which God had said was off limits (Genesis 2:16-17). Satan’s lies were believed (“…The devil…is a liar and the father of lies.”—John 8:44), Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and their descendants (including each of us) have been dealing with the effects ever since, all because of the original spin which led to the original sin.

Another example is worth noting. After Jesus rose from the dead the religious leaders couldn’t explain the empty tomb so their spin doctors went to work. They cooked up a scheme with the soldiers who’d guarded the grave site to say His disciples stole His body while they slept (Matthew 28:11-15). My question: How could they know His followers took His body if they were snoring away? But “…this story has been widely circulated…to this very day.” (Matthew 28:15). Apparently spins don’t die easily.

At least eight times in Scripture God warns us not to be deceived because serious consequences can result (e, g, Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 5:6). So to whom should we listen? Solomon has some wise counsel (“The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.”—Proverbs 12:5) as does Paul (“What does the Scripture say?”—Romans 4:3, emphasis added). God’s Word and godly people are an unbeatable combination for fighting the original (or any) spin of His truth. Let’s listen to both.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan