It was mid-August 1968 in one of my Basic Training classes. The class was composed of two training groups of 50 young men each, Flight 217 & 218. We had our next assignment and with only weeks away from graduation, we thought we knew life in the military.

Then, a stone-faced Sergeant walked into the room, whispered to the instructor, walked to the front of the room, cleared his throat, and said, “Gentlemen…” and began to read from the piece of paper. He told us the Chinese had invaded South Vietnam and all assignments were canceled. “Flight 217 would report tomorrow morning at 0400 (4am) to the flight line where they will be flown directly to Saigon as Military Police protecting military bases. Flight 218 would be shipped to Lackland AFB, and assigned as clerks, cooks, and other administrative support duties. The stone-faced Sergeant folded up the paper and said, “sit tight, I will return with further instructions” and left the room.

What happened next was classic charged emotions. One group was going directly to Nam and the anxiety of war. The other group would remain stateside with warm beds, hot food, and safety. Within minutes young men began to stand up and express their feelings. Why did they have to go while the other group did not? Expressions of unfairness, not prepared, not able to be with their family…raw emotions as the other group sat silently. After 20 minutes of unsupervised time, the stone-faced Sergeant returned and said, “I’m sorry I made a mistake, “Flight 217 will be reporting to Lackland AFB tomorrow and Flight 218 will be reporting for duty in Vietnam.” BAM! After he left the room, the emotions went off the charts. Now the upset & fearful group was shouting joy, and the once silent group became fearful & upset. One group of good people against the other. Then the stone-faced Sergeant returned to sum up the lesson …the class on “Propaganda & Lies.” The Chinese had not invaded, no one was being shipped out tomorrow. It was a lesson on the power of propaganda.

Propaganda is as old as time. Propaganda intentionally uses the current conditions to plant half-truths, name calling, transference, generalities, even partial testimonies to create doubt & fear with one objective…control. Remember the conversation Satan had with Eve in Genesis 3. It changed history.

Pilot asked Jesus, “What is truth?” John 18:38. Pilot did not recognize he was looking at “The Truth”. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

One common question/phrase found in the New Testament refers to what the “Scripture says.” Scripture is the supreme & final authority for Believers, not someone’s opinion. For, “the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.” Psalm 12:6.

Do not get caught in today’s propaganda. Go directly to the truth, the Bible. Study & know His truth personally. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

But don’t take my word for it. Checkout what Jesus said in John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said…”