When Lies and Deceit Become the Norm

Understanding What Happens When Truth Loses Its Value

We’ve all heard the saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” But when you scroll through your newsfeed these days, it feels like the world has flipped that idea on its head. Everywhere you look—whether it’s in politics, advertising, social media, or even day-to-day conversations—it seems like fibs, half-truths, and outright deceit are becoming the new normal. What happened? How did we get here? And what does it mean for us, regular people, just trying to get by?

How Did We Get Here?

Let’s start simple: no society is perfect, and the truth has always had a bit of competition. But in the past, most people agreed that lying was wrong. Sure, someone might stretch the truth here or there, maybe to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or to dodge a little trouble. But big lies—the kind that trick or hurt people—were frowned upon.

Fast forward to today, and you see something different. Not only do people get away with telling lies, sometimes they’re rewarded for it. Politicians twist facts to fit their side of the story. Even those entrusted with guiding our nation sometimes shapes reality to suit their narrative. And all of this is right there in front of us, every single day.

So why are we more accepting of this than before? There are a few reasons:

·      Information Overload: We’re bombarded with so much news and content, it’s hard to sort what’s true from what’s not. Sometimes, it feels easier to just go along with whatever is popular.

·      Echo Chambers: Social media tends to show us things we already agree with. When everyone around us believes the same thing—even if it’s not true—it starts to feel normal.

·      Short Attention Spans: The latest scandal or shocking headline grabs attention, but tomorrow there’s a new one. Lies get buried fast, and people move on.

·      Success by Any Means: Modern culture often rewards results, not honesty. If bending the truth helps someone get ahead, some people see that as clever instead of wrong.

Small Lies, Big Impact

Some folks argue that little white lies don’t hurt anyone. “Everybody does it,” they say. But when lying becomes routine, it’s like a snowball rolling down a hill—it gets bigger and bigger, picking up speed.

Here’s what happens when lies and deceit become the norm:

·      Trust Breaks Down: If you can’t trust what you hear, you start doubting everything—your leaders, your neighbors, even yourself. Relationships suffer because you never know who’s telling the truth.

·      Real Problems Get Hidden: When people cover up mistakes or bad news, problems don’t get solved. They just grow until they can’t be ignored.

·      Good People Get Tired: If honest folks see that lying gets you ahead, they might give up trying to do the right thing. That’s a recipe for society to get worse, not better.

·      Division Grows: Lies have a way of splitting people into groups that don’t trust each other. This makes it harder to work together and find common ground.

Everyday Examples

Let’s look at some real-life situations where lies and deceit pop up:

Politics

During elections, candidates often make promises they know they can’t keep, or twist facts to make their opponents look bad. When these fibs get repeated in news stories and social media posts, people start to believe them. After a while, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s just spin.

Advertising

Companies want to sell their products, so they use fancy language to make things sound better than they are. Ever seen a cereal box that says “organic” or “all natural,” but when you check the ingredients, it’s full of sugar and chemicals? That’s not honest, but as consumers, we’ve come to expect it.

Social Media

People use filters and edit their photos to look perfect. Some influencers even fake sponsorships or make up stories to get more followers. When everyone else sees this, they might feel pressure to keep up, even if it means pretending.

Workplaces

In some jobs, bending the truth can help close a deal or land a promotion. Over time, these little lies stack up, and the workplace turns into a place where everyone’s just out for themselves.

Why Do We Accept It?

It’s easy to blame “the system” or “the media,” but we all play a part. Sometimes, we go along with lies because it feels safer, or we don’t want to rock the boat. Other times, we tell ourselves that everyone else is doing it, so it must be okay.

The truth is, people are social creatures. We want to fit in. If lying is accepted in our group, we’re more likely to do it too. And when we see others getting away with it, it’s tempting to join in.

Can We Turn Things Around?

Here’s the good news: just because lying is common doesn’t mean it’s right. Change doesn’t start with big laws or fancy speeches. It starts with each of us.

·      Ask Questions: Don’t just accept what you hear. If something sounds off, dig a little deeper.

·      Speak Up: When you spot a lie, call it out—kindly, but firmly. Help others see the truth.

·      Set a Good Example: Be honest in your own life, even when it’s hard. People notice more than you think.

·      Support Truth-Tellers: Follow media and leaders who value honesty. Share their work with others.

What Does the Future Hold?

If we keep accepting lies as normal, society loses something big—the ability to trust, to work together, and to solve real problems. But if more people decide to value honesty, things can change. It won’t happen overnight, but even small efforts matter.

Imagine a world where people tell the truth, even when it’s tough. Where leaders admit mistakes and fix them. Where companies are upfront about what they sell. Where social media is a place for real connection, not just filtered perfection. That world might seem far off, but it starts with choices we make every day.

Final Thoughts

Scrolling through your newsfeed, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by how much dishonesty is out there. But instead of shrugging and moving on, we can choose to see it as a call to action. We don’t have to accept lies as normal. By valuing honesty in our words and actions, we push back against the tide of deceit.

So the next time you catch a half-truth or a sneaky sales pitch, pause. Think about the kind of world you want to live in. Each small act of truth-telling matters. If enough people care, honesty can make a comeback—and that’s worth fighting for.

Minister A Francine Green

September 2025