The Stories We Believe

“Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (Christian Standard Bible)

I live in Chicago, “the most dangerous city in America” according to the president of the United States. He has repeatedly called Chicago “a hellhole” and accused our mayor, Brandon Johnson, of being “grossly incompetent.” Because the city is–in the president’s words–“out of control” and a “war zone,” he was obligated to send National Guard troops (from Texas) to bring order to the chaos on our streets and “make the city safe again.” The story of Chicago’s rampant violence was repeated by others in his administration including FBI Director, Kash Patel and Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem. In October 2025, the White House posted a video on social media, depicting the “mess” in Chicago that ICE and Homeland Security were cleaning up. An AFP investigation reviewed the video, and discovered that the it pieced together outdated footage highlighting drug busts, arrests and deportation raids in other states, including Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Nebraska.. Only a few clips were actually from raids in Chicago.

THIS ADMINISTRATION GAVE FALSE TESTIMONY ABOUT CRIME IN CHICAGO.. The truth is that ALL crime in Chicago dropped significantly in 2025. Most significantly, the number of murders fell 29% from 2024, and shootings were down 35%. According toBlock Club Chicago (a local independent news organization), there were 416 murders in Chicago last year–a 60-year low! And the National Guard had nothing to do with the drop in crime. They were never deployed to the streets of Chicago. .

But people–sincere people, I’m sure–believe the false testimony.

The false testimony of this administration is not an anomaly; it is a pattern.

• All immigrants are characterized as “pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, murderers, and violent thugs” — the “worst of the worst.” Peaceful protesters are labeled “rioters” and “paid agitators.” According to ICE data (as reported by CBS News Chicago), only 3% of the people arrested and detained in Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago and surrounding suburbs had been convicted of a violent crime, and almost 80% had never been charged with a crime.
• Every small boat in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific is said to be delivering drugs to the US. Every Venezuelan is a suspected member of the drug cartel, Tren de Aragua. The videos of their deaths are shared freely, but no evidence is given in support of Department of War claims.
• And this week, US citizen, veteran and devout Christian Renee Nicole Good was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Immediately–without a shred of evidence–the administration labeled her a “domestic terrorist” who was part of a “radical-left network.” ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents were depicted as heroes who are doing the job of “keeping our streets safe.” Anyone who opposes ICE and CBP is assumed to be a “leftist lunatic.”

And people–good people, Christian people, I’m sure–believe the false testimony.

But why? Why do good, sincere, Christian people accept the falsehoods as fact without question or reservation? Have they lost the ability to discern truth from false testimony? It would seem.

I recently read a post on Facebook from a Christian grappling with what happened in Minneapolis that confirmed my assessment. In the post, the writer made the following assessment: “He (the ICE agent) could have done better but so could she(Renee Good).” This was followed by an assumption: “Was she right? No. Was he making a good choice? Of course not, but it will go through due process…(because) that’s what’s great about America… We get that chance for fair trial and truth will be investigated to the full extent.”. Then the writer confessed: “I don’t speak out on political things at all, but I follow and listen to all sides to find what is the same and what is different because the stories that follow the same narrative will have more truth than the ones who have different narratives.”

Three things struck me as I read the post:

1. There was a “both sides are at fault” assessment–without recognizing the power dynamics at play. ICE and CBP agents have more power in the situation. They have legal authority as law enforcement officers and they have lethal weapons.. Renee Good, a citizen, had only her words and a drivers license (and maybe a whistle and a measure of moral authority.) Those with greater power have greater responsibility and should be held to greater accountability.
2. There was the assumption that the truth would be revealed through a “full and fair” investigation. Given that there FBI has already refused to allow local law enforcement access to the investigation, it is reasonable to suspect that the outcome of the investigation may not be fully transparent or accurate.
3. Finally, there is the assumption that truth can be discerned through following the most consistent story. This is dangerous reasoning since we know this administration consistently distorts the truth in interviews and social media to support its own agenda, ensuring that their message is repeated and reposted. Again, the pattern of giving and repeating false testimony should give us pause about accepting the loudest voices as the most truthful. The better question we need to ask is, “Are the sources of the narratives trust-worthy?” In this case, Kristi Noem and J.D. Vance announced the “true” story about Renee Good just moments after the shots were fired and before any investigation could begin, and then they doubled down on their story even after video and eye-witness accounts challenged their narrative.

Discernment is not just about listening. It is about testing the message and trusting the messenger. Heed the warning from 1 John 4:1. “My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.” (The Message) And as Jesus reminded his disciples, “You’ll recognize them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16)

Renee Good’s last words to the ICE agent were, “I’m not mad at you.” The ICE agent’s last words to her recorded on his cell phone video were: “Fucking Bitch.” Discern that.