Prayer and 72-Hour Rule
This question comes in all the time, so it is time for a bit of discussion…
How do we stay above the fray of false accusations and attempts to deceive?
I don’t know it all. I can share my perspective, and hope that in it, you find some worth. We must become critical thinkers—using logic, knowledge, reason and emotion—and then discern as objectively as we are able.
I say as objectively as we are able because no mortal can be wholly objective. Our views are all touched by our beliefs, our experiences, and all insights and knowledge we have acquired during our lives. That said, we can strive to be as objective as possible by making a strong effort to push subjectivity aside, view objectively, and then weigh all–before rendering a conclusion.
For example…
Vial information we need is flowing rapidly and with the force of a firehose. It’s all but impossible to keep up. Many have formed small groups and each person seeks truth on a matter and then reports back to the group with proofs of what she or he has found. The information is compiled, discussed, and if further information is needed, it is sought and brought to the group. This enables all group members to focus on a variety of specific areas, which makes broader coverage possible and not as overwhelming. All the information is studied and digested by the group, and each member draws conclusions. Often, we then discuss conclusions, shoot holes in them, refine them again and again, and ultimately, we conclude.
Logic, knowledge and emotion, critical thinking, evidence and discernment.
Choosing members for your group requires respect and trust in that person, in what she or he brings back to the group, and the sources s/he uses and deems reputable as confirmation. (Respected and trusted sources are critical.) This level of reliance on each other requires confidence in all group members by all group members.
I explain this as a preface to our 72-hour rule, which I believe has become one of the most useful and protective and wise rules we have adopted to aid us in staying above the fray of making false accusations and protecting us from falling for attempts to deceive.
What is the 72-hour rule?
It’s simple. When something happens that appears to come in totally unexpected and from left field, hold your thoughts and don’t draw a conclusion on it for 72 hours.
Typically within that time, the assertion will be proven true or false. More information is released. More information is revealed or found by others and a more complete picture of the assertion is presented. Context is gained. That additional context or insight either supports the assertion or refutes it, which spares you from falsely accusing or fostering deception. The effort protects your own credibility and, if you are working with others, the credibility of those in your group.
“Breaking news” creates a powerful temptation to get news out there. To be first to report it. But breaking news does more harm than good if it later proves to be false. It is far more important to get it right than to be first. Being first to break news is never enough reason to risk spreading false information, accusations, or engaging in any attempt—wittingly or unwittingly—to deceive anyone.
There is an old saying that we are only as good as our word. That is true. Will mistakes be made? Yes, of course. We’re human. When they do make mistakes, admit them, apologize, and try to correct the error as soon as is possible. Also, try to correct any harm caused by the mistake.
Example. Newspapers print an incorrect story. It goes public. The error is pointed out, and the newspaper prints a retraction.
Good, but not as good as it could be. The story was printed on the front page above the fold–the most significant placement a story can have in newsprint. The retraction was on page 24, buried at the bottom left. That’s about the least significant placement. So far more people saw the story than will see the retraction.
We can choose to be more ethical. Put the retraction on the front page, above the fold in a small box. This gives the retraction the same weight as the story. Being fair, straight about the event, and honest with readers is about the best that can be done. Since readers are human, too, they understand errors are made and you want them to know you’re taking responsibility and doing all you can to make your error right.
Again, in my humble opinion, this all goes back to respect and to trust, which are essential for an effective group. An effective individual, entity, or anything else.
Two Bible verses have been extremely helpful to me, and I’ll share them in the hope they will be helpful to you also:
They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.
After eight years or so, I can say that both have been instrumental in identifying people who profess to be bearers of truth but who prove they are not, and those who profess fiction to be fact.
Lastly, it has long since become a practice to pray before researching and in gratitude afterward. Prayer calms the mind and opens the spirit to truth. (God cannot abide lies, right?) I cannot tell you how much this has positively impacted the process. In a multitude of ways.
I’ve discovered that the 72-Hour Rule can be applied to just about any flash point that could develop into conflict. It helps defuse. I pray it helps you in your situations.
Blessings,
Vicki Hinze
Christians-Read
Christians Read 