What is a spin doctor? A spin doctor is a political press agent or publicist employed to promote a favourable interpretation of events to journalists. Such agents not only promote a certain agenda for people to believe, they will also promote any agenda to persuade others of what NOT to believe. In other words, they will say anything to get you to believe their interpretation of news happening in the world. They will also say anything to condemn a worldview that is not of their choosing. To do this, they will quote other spin doctors who are promoting the same things. When they and their "guest speakers" come to the same conclusion, the public is convinced that it is truth.
This "spinning" process has found its way into the church. When we view some TV "ministries", we find people preaching their agenda to promote wealth for themselves. Their shows are not much different than Fox news. They also invite "guest speakers"on their show who agree with their agenda, convincing their audience that their message is true.
Is this a sin? Absolutely! In 2 Peter 2:1-3, it says "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." There are those on national TV that make merchandise of deceived people every day. There are also leaders in local congregations that do the same thing on a smaller scale. But regardless of the scale, it is an abomination.
Let's drop the scale another notch. There are also spin doctors in Christian chat rooms, whose purpose is to deceive the people into believing whatever their agenda is. They will make all the big claims, such as "We believe Scripture interprets Scripture", and "There is no private interpretation of Scripture". Yet they will debate with other chatters humiliating them with accusations, twisting their statements, question their motives, insinuating that they are the false teachers! Normally I would think that those promoting wrong views are just doing so ignorantly. But when they go to extremes to belittle the ones they're debating with, it's obvious what they're trying to do.
Do I believe that everyone who does this means to do so for evil purposes? Absolutely not! But when someone uses such tactics, doing whatever is necessary to prove that they are right, what then is the difference? If we use the world's methods, such as those on Fox news, what should we expect people to think? To win debates with evil methods is a sin, plain and simple. To destroy a Christian's character is a sin. To bash a person's belief publicly for the sake of winning is a sin. If we are held in high esteem while we promote such things, we also lead others astray with our example. I will not dare say "What would Jesus do?", but rather "What will God do to those who do such things?"
Religious spin doctors prove by their fruits who they are. They obviously do not fear the Lord. We as Christians should NEVER agree with or be found siding with someone who has no fear of God in their hearts. 1 Corinthians 5:6 says, "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"
Every Christian is to "prove all things", starting first with their integrity and motives, not their theology. Our evidence should be a loving heart and a humble spirit. Anything else reveals impure motives, thus corrupting our message. Our best talent in proving the truth is having the image of Christ in us. To prove doctrine without Jesus having the preeminence in your life is like handing a three-year old a machine gun with the safety off. It will only destroy anyone you point it at.
