How can you sniff out fake news?  As much as possible, you need to go back to the original source.  This is especially true since it has become very easy to for people to create websites that look like the real deal.  Get to the source and read it for yourself.

The same problem exists when it comes to hearing about Jesus.  There is a lot of fake news out there, some of it dressed up to look very reliable.  From the earliest days of the faith, the warnings have been posted:

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.  And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.  And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.  (2 Peter 2:1-3)

There are many so-called churches out there, even well known and established ones, that teach a message contrary to the real message of Jesus.  They say, “Clean up your act so God will accept you.  Stop sinning and work hard to be righteous.”   But Jesus said,

^… “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  (Matthew 9:12b-13)

Jesus did not wait for people to change but lovingly gave people the ability to do so.  Don’t fall for fake news, because fake news is not good news.