People choose lies over truth because they believe information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, and the desire for simple narratives over a complex one. Lies can provide short-term emotional gratification. People can also be influenced by the desire to belong to a group. It can also be caused by intentional manipulation from people who spread disinformation.
Lies can be simpler to understand or presented with conviction, especially in situations where the truth would cause discomfort or conflict.
During the holocaust, it is said that a man by the name Joseph Goebbels, a minister of Adolf Hitler said, “If you tell a lie big enough and long enough people will start to believe it.” It is called the illusory truth effect. Repeated exposure to a lie can make it seem more believable, even if it’s false. The more a lie is repeated, the more likely it is to be accepted as fact.
People may not want to expend the mental energy to research information, especially if it seems easy to understand or popular.
It’s easy to think that only others are susceptible to lies. The search for truth is are rejection of lies begins with us.
We should all become passionate about finding the truth. Questioning everything can lead to growth, innovation, and a deeper understanding of the world.
The Bible commands us to “test the spirits” to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). The purpose is to distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, because deception is a significant problem in the world. By testing the spirits, we can avoid being led astray by false information or misleading messages.
From Pity to Praise 