Standing for Truth in a World of Lies!

In this bold and timely episode, Coach Larry tackles one of the greatest challenges facing servant leaders today: the war on truth. From political deception and media manipulation to the spiritual forces behind the confusion, we explore how repeated lies shape public perception—and what the Bible says about standing firm in a world drowning in falsehood.

Using Donald Trump's disinformation strategies as a real-world example, Coach Larry breaks down how leaders can resist the Illusory Truth Effect, reject cynicism, and anchor themselves in God's Word. Discover how faith-based leaders can speak truth with courage, hold others accountable with integrity, and lead with clarity in a time when moral confusion reigns.

Key Takeaways:

• Why deception is a spiritual issue—not just a political one
• How to combat the psychological power of repeated lies
• Practical steps servant leaders can take to defend and live out the truth

Truth matters. And it’s time we stood up for it.

Transcript

Standing for Truth in a World of Lies

The Trump Effect—How Servant Leaders Stand for Truth
 Host: Coach Larry Scarbeau

Today, we’re tackling a crucial issue that affects our faith, leadership, and the very fabric of our society—the battle between truth and deception.

We live in a time when lies are not just told to convince us of falsehoods, but to make us doubt whether absolute truth even exists. Political leaders, media outlets, and social platforms flood us with conflicting narratives, leaving many disillusioned and disengaged.

One recent example is President Donald Trump’s statements that undermine U.S. policy toward Russia and NATO. For 80 years, the United States has considered Russia a major adversary, but Trump has repeatedly questioned NATO’s role, called allies “freeloaders,” and even portrayed Ukraine—not Russia—as the real dictatorship. This is not just a shift in opinion; it is a strategy that distorts truth and reshapes public perception.

But here’s the good news—truth is not something that can be erased. Scripture tells us in Ecclesiastes 12:14 that “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” No leader, no matter how powerful, will escape God’s ultimate accountability.

So today, we’re going to talk about:

• How repeated lies erode truth and moral judgment
• Why this is a spiritual battle, not just a political one
• What we, as faith-based servant leaders, can do to stand for truth in a world of deception

Let’s be clear—the strategy of repeating lies isn’t new. It has been a tool of totalitarian regimes for centuries.

Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, once said: “If you tell a lie big enough and repeat it often enough, people will eventually believe it.”

But Hannah Arendt, a historian and philosopher, took it a step further. She warned that the real danger isn’t that people will believe the lie—it’s that they will stop believing in truth altogether.

Let’s look at how this is playing out today:

• Donald Trump and the War on Truth – From questioning Obama’s birth certificate to claiming the 2020 election was stolen, and his ongoing attacks on what he calls ‘fake media’, Trump has conditioned millions to distrust traditional sources of information.
• The Russia-NATO Disinformation Campaign – Trump’s suggestion that NATO allies are freeloaders and that Ukraine—not Russia—is the real dictatorship is a strategic distortion of reality.
• The Social Media Effect – Lies spread faster than truth online, making it easier to blur the lines between fact and fiction.

But here’s where we, as servant leaders, must stand firm. Truth is not a political weapon; truth is a divine principle. Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

As leaders, we must be committed to seeking, speaking, and defending the truth, no matter how unpopular it may be.

THE STRATEGY OF REPEATED LIES]

First we must answer this - How do repeated lies erode truth and shape public perception?

The answer lies in the psychology of repetition and the spiritual nature of deception.

The Psychology of Repetition: How Lies Become "Truth"

There’s a well-documented psychological phenomenon called the Illusory Truth Effect. This effect states that when people hear the same false information over and over, they start to believe it—even if they initially knew it was false.

Why does this happen? Because the human brain is wired to trust familiarity. When a statement is repeated frequently, it feels familiar. And when something feels familiar, we assume it’s true.

Now, think about how this plays out in the media, in politics, and even in our personal lives:

• A lie is told once—people question it.
• It’s repeated a second time—people still doubt it, but they’ve now heard it twice.
• It’s repeated a third, fourth, and fifth time—suddenly, people start thinking, Maybe there’s something to this.
• Eventually, the lie becomes accepted as truth—not because there’s evidence for it, but because it has been repeated so often.

This is exactly how deception has taken root in history, and we’re seeing it unfold today.

How This Plays Out Today

The Illusory Truth Effect is being used right now to reshape public perception about some of the most critical issues in our world. Let’s look at a few examples.

1. Donald Trump and the War on Truth

When Donald Trump entered politics, he immediately began using repetition to change what people believed. Some of his most well-known false claims include:

• “Obama wasn’t born in the U.S.”
• “The 2020 election was stolen.”
• “The media is fake news.”
• Biden was the worst president of all time.

These statements weren’t backed by evidence, but they were repeated constantly—on TV, at rallies, on social media, and he continues to repeat them as he begins his second term. And over time, millions of people started to believe them, simply because they had heard them so often.

Now, let’s be clear—this isn’t just about Trump. This strategy is used by many leaders throughout history, across all political parties. The problem isn’t just the lies themselves; the problem is how they corrode people’s ability to discern truth.

2. The Russia-NATO Disinformation Campaign

For decades, the United States has recognized Russia as its primary geopolitical adversary. But in recent years, a new narrative has emerged, largely pushed by Trump and his allies:

• “NATO is obsolete.”
• “Ukraine is corrupt.”
• “Russia is misunderstood.”

These messages are repeated so often that they start to sound reasonable—even though they contradict decades of historical facts and intelligence reports.

This kind of repeated disinformation weakens our moral and political resolve. Instead of standing firm against aggression and injustice, people begin to doubt what’s real. They start to question whether America should even defend its allies.

And here’s the thing—Russia benefits directly from this confusion. By shifting public opinion away from the truth, authoritarian regimes can act with impunity while democratic nations hesitate.

3. The Social Media Effect: How Lies Spread Faster Than Truth

Here’s a sobering reality:

• A lie spreads six times faster than the truth on social media.
• Misinformation is 70% more likely to be shared than factual news.

Why? Because lies are designed to be emotionally powerful. They shock us. They make us angry. And when something triggers strong emotions, people are more likely to share it without questioning whether it’s true.

That’s why you see false claims about elections, vaccines, and world events going viral within hours, while factual corrections take days—or sometimes never get noticed at all.

This is a dangerous reality because when truth becomes unclear, people stop believing in anything.

The Spiritual Nature of Deception: What Does the Bible Say?

Now, let’s talk about the deeper issue here—this isn’t just psychological. It’s spiritual.

John 8:44 tells us that deception is not just a human problem—it’s a tool of the enemy:
"When he [Satan] lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Satan’s ultimate goal is to lead people away from truth—away from God’s truth. And one of the most effective ways to do this is by making people doubt that truth even exists.

Let’s break this down:

1.    When people stop believing in truth, they stop believing in morality.

o   If “everything is relative,” then who’s to say what’s right or wrong?

o   If people can’t agree on what’s true, they can’t agree on what’s just.

2.    When people stop believing in morality, they stop holding leaders accountable.

o   If truth is “subjective,” then how do we challenge corruption?

o   If everything is just “a matter of perspective,” then lies and injustice go unpunished.

3.    When people stop holding leaders accountable, deception becomes the norm.

o   Lies become acceptable.

o   Corruption flourishes.

o   And worst of all—people stop resisting evil.

This is what Arendt warned about: A society that can no longer distinguish truth from lies can no longer distinguish right from wrong. And when that happens, evil has free reign.

So, What Should Servant Leaders Do?

As followers of Christ, we cannot be passive in the face of deception. We have a biblical mandate to seek and stand for truth.

Here are three key takeaways:

1.    We must ground ourselves in God’s truth.

o   The Bible is our ultimate source of truth.

o   Jesus said in John 14:, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

o   We cannot discern what is true in the world if we are not deeply rooted in God’s Word.

2.    We must teach discernment and wisdom.

o   We live in an age of information overload.

o   Not everything we hear—even from leaders we respect—is true.

o   Proverbs 4:7 tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

o   Seek wisdom, question narratives, and hold leaders accountable.

3.    We must be bold in standing for truth.

o   Speaking truth isn’t always popular.

o   People will criticize you. They will call you biased. But truth is not about politics—it’s about integrity.

o   Ephesians 6:14 says: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth.”

o   Truth is the first piece of the armor of God for a reason—because without truth, everything else collapses.

The Power of Truth in Leadership

As servant leaders, we must ask ourselves:

• Are we standing for truth—or just going along with what’s popular?
• Are we aligning our beliefs with Christ—or with political narratives?
• Are we being a light in the darkness—or are we afraid to speak up?

Lies are powerful, but truth is more powerful.

Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

It’s time to reject deception, pursue wisdom, and lead with integrity.

Let’s be servant leaders who stand for truth—no matter the cost.

THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE FOR TRUTH]

Alright, now that we’ve established how repeated lies erode truth, let’s go deeper.

This is more than just a political issue—it’s a spiritual battle.

We are not just facing disinformation or deception at the human level. We are facing a coordinated, intentional attack on truth itself—rooted in the schemes of the enemy.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12,
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

What does this mean for us as servant leaders?

• It means that the erosion of truth is not just happening in media and politics—it is happening in the spiritual realm.
• It means that this battle is not about Trump, Biden, NATO, or world politics—it is about a deeper war between truth and deception, between God and the forces of darkness.
• And most importantly, it means that if we do not approach this as a spiritual battle, we will not win.

1. The Enemy’s Ultimate Strategy: Destroy Truth

Jesus made it crystal clear in John 8:44 when He described Satan:
"When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

From the very beginning in Genesis 3, Satan’s primary method of attack has been deception.

• In the Garden of Eden, he told Eve, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1)
• When tempting Jesus, he twisted Scripture itself to try and deceive Him (Matthew 4:1-11).
• And today, he is using deception to confuse people about what is true, what is right, and who they should trust.

The moment truth becomes unclear, people become easier to manipulate.

• If there is no truth, there is no right and wrong.
• If there is no right and wrong, there is no accountability.
• And if there is no accountability, evil is free to reign.

That is the enemy’s goal: a world where truth is so distorted that people no longer seek God at all.

2. The Three Spiritual Consequences of a World Without Truth

When a society begins to believe that truth is relative, it leads to three major spiritual consequences:

A. Cynicism: The Death of Trust

One of Satan’s greatest strategies is to make people stop trusting anything at all.

• We see this everywhere today.
• People don’t trust the media.
• They don’t trust the government.
• They don’t trust church leaders.
• And worst of all—they stop trusting God.

This is exactly what Satan wants. Because if people stop trusting, they stop seeking.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

But when people become cynical, they close their hearts and say:

• “I don’t believe anything anymore.”
• “Everyone is lying.”
• “I don’t care anymore.”

And at that point, they stop looking for truth altogether.

B. Moral Confusion: When Right and Wrong Disappear

The second consequence of losing truth is moral confusion.

Isaiah 5:20 warns us:
 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

That’s exactly what happens when truth is lost.

• Corruption is justified because “both sides do it.”
• Sin is normalized because “everyone has their own truth.”
• Laws are ignored because “everything is a matter of perspective.”

This is why so many people excuse blatant wrongdoing in leadership today.
Instead of holding leaders accountable, they say:

• “All politicians lie.”
• “Both parties are corrupt.”
• “There’s no real truth anyway.”

This is not wisdom—this is spiritual blindness.

And the more people accept moral confusion, the easier it is for deception to take root.

C. Submission to Evil: When People Stop Resisting Wrongdoing

Once truth is gone and morality is confused, people stop resisting evil.

This is the most dangerous consequence of all.

• If we don’t believe truth matters, we won’t defend it.
• If we don’t believe right and wrong exist, we won’t fight injustice.
• If we believe all leaders are corrupt, we won’t demand integrity.

This is what Hannah Arendt warned about: A society that cannot distinguish truth from lies can no longer distinguish right from wrong.

And when that happens, the enemy wins.

Because now, he can do whatever he wants.

• Leaders can abuse their power.
• The weak can be exploited.
• The church can be silenced.

And people will just shrug and say,
 "Well, that’s just the way the world is now."

This is exactly what Satan wants.

But here’s the good news—he doesn’t get the final say.

3. How Do We Fight Back? Winning the Spiritual Battle for Truth

So how do we, as faith-based servant leaders, stand against this deception?

Here are three things we must do:

1. We Must Ground Ourselves in God’s Truth

Jesus said in Colossians 2:8,
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

If we are not deeply rooted in God’s Word, we will be deceived.
Period.

There is only one source of absolute truth—God Himself.
And if we are not aligning our beliefs with His Word, we are opening the door to deception.

Every day, we must ask ourselves:

• “Am I basing my beliefs on God’s truth—or on what the world says?”
• “Am I filtering information through Scripture—or through my personal biases?”
• “Am I seeking wisdom in prayer—or just going along with popular opinion?”

Because at the end of the day, our allegiance is to Christ, not to any political leader, media outlet, or social movement.

2. We Must Teach Discernment and Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 says,
 "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

We have to train the next generation to think critically, discern truth, and question deception.
Because if we don’t, the enemy will do it for them.

That means:

• Teaching biblical wisdom at home.
• Helping people navigate misinformation.
• Encouraging critical thinking based on Scripture.

3. We Must Be Bold in Standing for Truth

2 Corinthians 1:21 says:
 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ."

Truth is the first piece of the armor of God because without truth, everything else collapses.

If we are afraid to speak up, if we remain silent in the face of deception, we are complicit in the lie. But take hope as you don’t stand alone in your own power for it is God who make you stand up for truth.

Are You Willing to Stand for Truth?

So let me ask you:

• Are you willing to stand for truth, even when it’s unpopular?
• Are you seeking God’s truth, or just trusting the voices around you?
• Are you training yourself—and others—to discern right from wrong?

Because truth is under attack.
And if we don’t stand up now, who will?

HOW SERVANT LEADERS CAN DEFEND TRUTH

Now that we’ve established that the war on truth is both a psychological strategy and a spiritual battle, let’s talk about the most important part—what can we, as servant leaders, do about it?

Because here’s the reality:

• Knowing the truth is not enough.
• Believing the truth is not enough.
• Even speaking the truth is not enough if we’re not living it out.

We have to take action.

The Bible tells us in James 1:22,
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

So let’s talk about five practical ways we can stand for truth and lead with integrity in a world drowning in deception.

1. Seek God’s Truth First—Above All Else

 The first and most important thing we must do is anchor ourselves in God’s truth.

Because if we’re not grounded in the Word of God, we will be swayed by the lies of the world.

Jesus prayed in John 17:17,
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."

Here’s what that means for us as leaders:

• We cannot base our beliefs on political parties, media narratives, or social trends.
• We cannot allow personal biases or emotions to dictate what we accept as true.
• We must filter everything we hear, read, and see through Scripture.

Because if we don’t ground ourselves in biblical truth first, we’ll start believing half-truths, misleading narratives, and outright deception.

Here’s a challenge for you:
This week, as you consume news, social media, or political discussions, ask yourself:

• “Am I measuring this against God’s Word?”
• “Is this information based on truth, or is it designed to manipulate emotions?”
• “Would Jesus affirm this as truth, or would He challenge it?”

If it doesn’t align with God’s Word, it isn’t truth. Period.

2. Lead with Integrity and Accountability

 Once we are rooted in truth, we must commit to living it out.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 10:9,
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out."

As leaders, we must model truth in our own lives first.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Refusing to spread misinformation—even when it supports our personal views.
• Being honest about what we know and don’t know—instead of pretending to have all the answers.
• Holding ourselves accountable—so that we don’t fall into the same traps of deception we warn others about.

Because if we don’t lead with integrity, our words mean nothing.

Integrity builds trust. Deception destroys it.

And as servant leaders, we are called to be trustworthy stewards of truth.

3. Reject Cynicism and Stay Engaged

 One of the biggest dangers of a world full of lies is cynicism.

• Cynicism says, “Everyone lies, so why bother?”
• Cynicism says, “There’s no point in fighting for truth.”
• Cynicism says, “Just go along with whatever benefits you.”

And this is exactly what Satan wants—for people to give up on truth altogether.

But as Christians, we are called to be different.

Matthew 5:16 says,
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

That means:

• We don’t disengage from hard conversations.
• We don’t tune out just because it’s overwhelming.
• We don’t allow deception to win simply because it’s easier to stay silent.

Because if we don’t stand for truth, who will?

So let me challenge you:
Where in your life have you been passive about truth?

• Is it in political discussions?
• In the workplace?
• In conversations with friends and family?

Ask yourself: “Am I avoiding the truth because it’s easier to stay quiet?”

If so, it’s time to step up.

4. Hold Leaders Accountable—Without Idolatry

 One of the biggest mistakes people make is blind loyalty to leaders.

And let’s be honest—this is a problem on all sides.

People get so attached to political figures, pastors, or media personalities that they stop questioning them.

But as servant leaders, we must never place blind faith in any human leader.

Jeremiah 17:5 warns us,
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord."

Let me be clear:

• No political leader is above truth.
• No pastor is beyond accountability.
• No movement is worth compromising our integrity.

When leaders distort truth, we must call it out—no matter who they are.

We follow Christ, not men.

And if our loyalty to a leader prevents us from speaking truth, we have crossed the line into idolatry.

Ask yourself today:

• “Am I excusing lies because I like the person telling them?”
• “Am I defending someone simply because they’re on ‘my side’?”
• “Am I willing to challenge deception, even when it’s inconvenient?”

Because truth must always come before politics, popularity, or personal comfort.

5. Teach and Equip Others to Discern Truth

 The final and most powerful way we can defend truth is by teaching it to others.

Proverbs 22:6 says,
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

That doesn’t just apply to kids—it applies to everyone under our leadership.

If we are not actively teaching people to think critically and discern truth, then we are leaving them vulnerable to deception.

So here’s what we need to do:

• Teach people how to fact-check information.
• Help them recognize manipulation tactics.
• Encourage them to filter everything through Scripture.

Because a well-equipped leader is a powerful force for truth.

Final Challenge: Are You Willing to Stand for Truth?

So let me ask you:

• Are you grounding yourself in God’s truth daily?
• Are you living with integrity and refusing to compromise?
• Are you engaging in truth-filled conversations instead of avoiding them?
• Are you holding leaders accountable—even when it’s hard?
• Are you teaching and equipping others to discern truth?

Because if we don’t stand for truth, deception will win.

And as servant leaders, we cannot allow that to happen.

Truth is not just a concept. It is a calling.

It is time to rise, speak out, and lead with integrity in a world desperate for truth.

That wraps up today’s episode!

If this message spoke to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

And if you want to dive deeper into how to lead with integrity, wisdom, and faith, check out the Servant Leaders Growth Hub—our online community for faith-based leaders who want to grow in their influence and impact.

Until next time—stay faithful, stay focused, and keep leading with integrity.