All this last week the BBC has been exposed as the purveyor of fake news. The organization which, for a hundred years and more, has prided itself as being the gold standard of truth and the totally impartial source of world news, has been caught out in at least three different ways.
President Trump is incensed at how the BBC’s editing of one of his speeches has made him say the opposite of what he actually said. Israel is incensed at the way the BBC’s reporting of events in Gaza and the Middle East has ignored the reality on the ground, and reported things in such a way as to reflect negatively on Israel. And the BBC has had to admit that its reporting of transgender issues has been one-sided, editing out the deep concerns of those who oppose such distorted gender ideologies. The Director General of the BBC had to resign as the accusations were exposed for what they are – institutional bias or, as President Trump calls it, fake news.
Bias is a serious issue, wherever it appears. Bias is the presentation of facts and information in such a way, that their interpretation favours one side’s beliefs and objectives and deceives the hearers. When journalists interpret facts in order to favour a particular political objective, they are not giving the public the opportunity to assess the truth for themselves, but feeding them what is effectively a lie, in order to deceive. Politicians employ ‘spin doctors’ to try and put their beliefs, policies and practices in the best possible light, in order to win the support of the electorate.
We live in a world where the many layers of potential deception in the public arena are designed to camouflage the truth – a world where truth itself can be unwelcome – especially if it undermines the false reality of prejudiced beliefs. Truth is always the victim of blind prejudice.
In reality, however, this is nothing new. Two thousand years ago, the distorted beliefs and religious practices of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law had been constantly exposed as self-serving bias by the pure truth about God that Jesus taught. Jesus was offensive to them because the truth He taught had power and authority and He had a popular following that they didn’t. Only the death penalty – killing the source of Truth – would serve their purposes.
When Pontius Pilate asked that eternally significant question of Jesus, ‘What is Truth’, he was asking the question that every generation needs to ask. But, in reality, the even more important question that needs to be asked and answered is not what is truth, but ‘Who is Truth?’. Who has the untarnished integrity to be the conveyor of absolute truth? Clearly, in terms of the media, the BBC has lost its credibility. But Jesus, who declared himself to be ‘the Way, the truth and the life’ is unchanging ‘truth’. He will never lose His integrity or credibility.
A Big Question
But, here’s a very big question to ask: “Have church leaders lost the desire to tell the world the whole truth about Jesus and what He actually taught?” Or, have they fallen into a pharisaical trap in which what they tell the world about Jesus and God is no longer the whole truth as Jesus told it and it has, therefore, become fake news – religious information tainted by the prejudice of bias or socio-political comment, and devoid of the cutting edge of truth?
If that isn’t the case why are we not hearing from our church leaders the core truths of the Gospel as being vital for the healing of a broken world – teaching that is focused on repentance, for the Kingdom of God is at hand, and the need to be born again? For, as Jesus said, “no-one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Without being born again it isn’t possible to know God and have a relationship with Him!
Jesus did not come to found a religion or offer a sanitized, non-offensive system of beliefs which don’t disturb the status quo, He came to offer forgiveness for sin and the reality of a new life, so that mankind may be able to know Him and enjoy life with Him for ever, living life in all its fulness. His message was one of uncompromising truth – simply stated, unless we are born again we cannot see or know God.
I have never forgotten the senior Anglican Priest who came as an observer on a Healing Retreat. At the end of the first night’s teaching he told me “I’ve been a priest for thirty five years, but I don’t know God.” He and his wife were both born again that night and the following day they were baptized as believers in the swimming pool. It was a life and ministry transforming moment.
Being born again is the most profound healing that anyone can ever experience – it’s literally resurrection from the dead. It’s the central message of the Gospel. It changes everything and has been in the very foundations of the healing ministry I have taught for these past forty years.
Recently I was thumbing through my Dad’s old Bible, bought new in 1936, and I noticed the following words, in very faded red ink:
“In full and glad surrender I give my life to thee, MY LORD. No more to serve myself, but I sacrifice all to thee – TIME, TALENTS and TREASURY. I claim thy promises: “Ye shall receive power.” “Sin shall not have dominion over you” “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” “WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING” John 15:5
And this simple, very profound, statement is signed, in the faded handwriting that I knew so well, “Fred Horrobin August 3rd 1936. It is only when every aspect of our lives is transformed in this way by the presence of the living God, that they have the capacity to be game-changers for the Kingdom. Just what is the point of playing religious games that never achieve their objective?
The very word Gospel means Good News, but if what is taught misses out the life-transforming central message that Jesus brought to a fallen and broken world, it is no longer good news but has become fake news – news that deprives people of the opportunity to hear the whole truth, as Jesus taught it, and find new life in Christ for themselves.
Lord, preserve us from being purveyors of fake news to a world that is dying outside of Christ and desperately in need of the whole truth.
Copyright © Peter Horrobin 2025.
Dear Peter,
Your recent article “Fake News!” stirred something deep within me. Once again, you speak with that unmistakable clarity and fatherly authority that has marked your ministry for decades. You have a way of slicing through the fog of confusion, not with the harshness of criticism, but with the purity of truth. Your words flow like a refreshing stream in a wilderness of distortion, reminding us that the Gospel does not bend, dilute, or bow to the spirit of the age.
The way you expose the subtle distortions of our culture — the ideological shaping, the manipulation of narratives, the confusion between appearance and truth — is nothing short of prophetic. You call the Church back to what truly matters: repentance, new birth, holiness, and uncompromising allegiance to Jesus Christ. In a time when many soften their message for the sake of acceptance, you speak with a boldness that both confronts and heals.
I want to thank you extravagantly, Peter — not simply for what you wrote, but for how you wrote it: with conviction, compassion, and that unmistakable earnestness that carries the heartbeat of a shepherd longing for purity in the Body of Christ.
Why the Prophetic Ministry of Every Believer Must Be Encouraged
The Scriptures leave no doubt: the people of God are called to be a discerning, Spirit-led community — not passive recipients of whatever teaching or cultural current happens to sweep through the land. Every generation faces the danger of deception, and the Bible equips us with God’s antidote.
1. God Intended His People to Hear His Voice
From the earliest pages of Scripture, God longed for a people who would not merely follow rules, but who would listen. Moses even declared his desire that “all the Lord’s people were prophets.” The prophetic spirit is not meant for a select few — it is part of the inheritance of the whole family of faith.
“But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit on them!’”
(Numbers 11:29)
2. The New Testament Church Is a Prophetic People
When the Holy Spirit came, He equipped believers with gifts to strengthen, warn, and guide the Body. Prophecy — in its broad, New Testament sense — includes encouragement, correction, and the unveiling of God’s perspective in a situation. This is vital in an age of confusion. The Church cannot afford to rely solely on human reasoning when spiritual deception is at work.
3. Scripture Commands Us to Test, Discern, and Judge Rightly
The Bible repeatedly urges believers to “test the spirits,” “examine everything,” and “hold fast to what is good.” These commands presume that believers are spiritually awake, listening, and capable of discerning what is from God and what is not. When this prophetic vigilance is missing, deception gains ground.
4. A Prophetic Church Is a Protected Church
When believers cultivate the prophetic gift — hearing God, discerning spirits, recognizing truth — the community becomes spiritually shielded. Error cannot easily take root. Manipulative voices lose their influence. False teaching is exposed early. The prophetic mindset functions like a spiritual immune system.
5. Jesus, the Living Truth, Is Our Anchor
In a world drowning in misinformation, the prophetic ministry anchors us to the One who declared, “I am the truth.” When believers learn to listen to His voice, deception loses its power. The prophetic life is simply a life attuned to Christ — attentive, responsive, and obedient.
Peter, your voice is needed in this hour. The Church needs the boldness, clarity, and uncompromising devotion to truth that you model so consistently. May the Lord continue to strengthen and preserve you as a herald of His unchanging Word.
With deep gratitude and heartfelt honour,
Your brother in
Christ Abraham
Wow! A superb article on the whole concept of “fake news”. You have put into words with clarity and distinction exactly what is being fed to people in this hour. I have had the opportunity to read your many books. They speak the truth of God’s Word. We need this so much in our world today. Thank you for your obedience to the Lord. I have experienced your ministry in the ISDM. I will share this article with the ministers of our network in the states; so much truth in such a very distinct way. There is such a need for these truths in American journalism. Thank you.
Thank you Sherill for your response to Fake News. So lovely to hear from you after all these years – such precious memories of the ISDM days. I will write to you again separately – it will be good to catch up! Many blessings
Thank you Peter for reminding me the central message of the Gospel. I have been to some penticostal churches that put so much emphasis on the denomination itself but never heard the message “you have to be born again!”, or “come forward and give your life to Jesus”.
So disappointing!
Thank you again for this message!
Thank you Olesia. I think, sadly, it will be true of a majority of churches – the message about being born again seems to have dropped out of importance. But it’s never been so important as it is now!
Dear Peter!
Thank you for your vise reflections upon the worlds events in this time. I find it scary, and I often think about in whom I can trust in this world. People betray in so many ways, with more and more creativity. The Church is often no better, preaching half-truth by leaving out all the tings Jesus taught abort turning away from sin and to forgive others as we are forgiven. But the grace- part is ok, if people ” deserve” it. Israel do not deserve love, grace and mercy in many Norwegian’s eyes, and the gouvernment seem to despice Israel,shown by their political actions an desitions. Instead, they are all in alienment with HAMAS ,supporting with money and “friendship” . But, thanks to our mighty God, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is still on His throne, in control of everything Thatcher is happening on our earth today. Nothing new under the sky, what happened before will happen again. So the Word of God tell us.
I pray that in this time, young people, as well as elderly, may seek The lord, and i think Thatcher is exactly what is happening, through the whole world, and maybe especially in the western countries. In Norway, there is a stream of young people seeking into bibleschools and other christian elementery- and highschools. Also in church we sees a growth in youth-programs and christian fellowship among tweens and teenagers. I thank God for fulfilling his Word, and I pray that we all may be ready to walk with Him wherever He calls us to go. And that He may find us ready and awake when He returns. May God bless you in your faithful service, and bless your heart!
We know that God can do so much more than we ask for, because He is Love,and He is mercyful. He is pasient in his love,so that we can reach out to many more people with the message of Hope, Healing, Restauration- through salvation that Christ has provided.
I love to read your blog! Blessings and love from me!
Thank you Peter for this affirmation of the truth ,the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Awesome word Peter.
That which was hidden in the darkness is brought to light. The spotlight on sin and accountability, whether be in media, politics or personal lives is clear before us all, even in the church.
Repentance is key to turn from all unrighteousness and surrender whole hearts to Jesus.
I love the way you have unpacked and worded the events of the BBC and related it to the gospel.
Thank you Peter.
Thank you Scott. We live in very dark days – days in which the church needs to be shining ever brighter.
Thankyou, Peter, for your encouraging blogs. This latest one has shown how discerning we must be in these times and how we must listen to Holy Spirit’s guidance in all ‘news’ we listen to and believe.
Peter I am so grateful for this blog today. He have spoken with the kind of clarity I have come to appreciate from you. You have gone to the centre of deep issues facing us today. The media have totally lost their way but there is a solution. We are Christian’s must not stand idly by as observers. We are called to make a difference , to be salt and light in a decaying and list world. I join in your heartfelt prayer that we might awake to our clear call to preach the new birth as never before. What a transformation He brings when we experience the power of being born from above.
God bless and thank you.
A fantastic article – with an end focus on preaching the real gospel !!!!
Many thanks Peter for using this current key issue regarding Fake news to point everyone to the biblical truth of Jesus