It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by images and posts that accuse public figures of being “crisis actors” or claim that laws like the Smith-Mundt Act allow the government to manipulate us. But let’s pause and ask: What’s the fruit of this message?

Does it build truth or sow confusion?

Does it encourage discernment or provoke division?

Does it help families walk in wisdom—or just stir fear and outrage?

The Smith-Mundt Act, originally passed in 1948 and updated in 2012, governs how U.S. agencies share public diplomacy content—like Voice of America broadcasts—with foreign audiences. The update allowed Americans to access that same content if they choose. It does not authorize psychological operations or staged events targeting U.S. citizens. That claim is a distortion.

When we see posts like this, it’s wise to ask:

Who benefits from making us distrust everything?

Is this helping us seek truth—or just making us angry?

As believers, we’re called to test all things (1 The