The Lord has said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matt. 12:25).
The Hidden Threats That Undermine a Nation
Imagine a house built on a shaky foundation. The exterior looks beautiful. Nonetheless, cracks will eventually form in its walls. The whole structure will start to collapse. In many ways, a country is like that house. When it is built on strong values like trust, unity, and truth, it thrives. Fear and lies behave like termites. They gnaw away at the very core of what keeps a nation standing.
Fear: The Invisible Divider
Fear is one of the most powerful emotions. It drives people to act in ways they would not otherwise, and it often clouds their judgment. When fear spreads through a country, it can divide communities and pit people against one another.
Think about how fear works in everyday life. If you’re afraid of something, you avoid it, distrust it, or even lash out at it. Now imagine this happening on a national scale. When people are constantly told to fear certain groups, ideas, or events, they start to see others as enemies. They see others as enemies rather than neighbors. Politicians or leaders sometimes use fear as a tool to maintain power. They may do this knowingly or unknowingly. They paint certain groups as a threat to the “safety” or “identity” of the nation.
For example, fear can lead to discrimination against minorities, creating an “us versus them” mentality. Over time, this destroys the unity of the people. A divided nation is easier to control, but it’s also weaker and more vulnerable to external threats. Fear doesn’t just divide people; it also paralyzes them. When people are scared, they’re less likely to stand up for what’s right. This makes it easier for corruption and misuse of power to thrive.
Lies: The Silent Poison
Lies, on the other hand, are like poison slowly seeping into the bloodstream of a country. At first, they seem harmless or even comforting, but over time, they erode trust and distort reality. When leaders or influential figures lie—whether through outright falsehoods or by twisting facts—they create a culture of confusion. People don’t know what to believe.
When a country is built on lies, its citizens lose faith in their institutions. Think of it this way: if a government promises better healthcare but never delivers, people start to question the government. They start to question everything they hear. If news outlets spread misinformation, the same doubt arises. This mistrust creates chaos. Without trust, cooperation becomes impossible, and the country starts to crumble from within.
Lies also make it easier for those in power to manipulate the public. If the truth is hidden or distorted, people can’t make informed decisions. Over time, this leads to bad policies, poor governance, and a population that feels alienated and powerless.
The Deadly Combination of Fear and Lies
When fear and lies work together, the damage is exponential. Lies spread fear, and fear makes people more susceptible to believing lies. For instance, if people are falsely told that their jobs are being taken by immigrants, fear sets in. That fear leads to anger and division. The real issue is unrelated. It is might be due to economic policies or automation. Instead of addressing the root cause of problems, a nation ends up fighting itself over misinformation.
This combination also makes it easier for authoritarian leadership to take hold. Fear keeps people in line, while lies keep them in the dark. By the time people realize what’s happening, it’s often too late.
What Can Be Done?
The good news is that fear and lies don’t have to win. Just like termites in a house, they can be stopped—but only if they’re caught early. Here are some ways to counteract these destructive forces:
· Promote truth and transparency: A strong nation is one where people have access to accurate information. Governments, media, and individuals all have a role to play in prioritizing truth over convenience or profit.
· Build trust: Trust is the glue that holds a country together. This means fostering open communication between leaders and citizens and ensuring that promises are kept.
· Educate and empower: Fear thrives in ignorance. By educating people about their rights, history, and the world around them, a nation can build resilience. This education helps prevent fearmongering and manipulation.
· Encourage unity: It’s much harder to divide a nation when its people see each other as allies. Seeing each other as allies is preferable to viewing one another as enemies. Programs that promote understanding and dialogue between different communities can go a long way.
Conclusion
A country is more than just a piece of land. It’s the people, the values, and the shared trust that keep it together. Fear and lies may seem small at first, but their impact can snowball, leaving a once-thriving nation in ruins. Yet, by recognizing these harmful forces, any country can survive. By taking steps to counteract them, a country can also flourish. In the end, the strongest nations are those where truth prevails. Trust is cherished in these nations. Fear has no place to grow there.
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 