A mentor once told me, “An honest fool will cost you more than a crooked thief.” It took me years to fully understand this, but it’s shaped how I view life and my journey. We’re all born with a desire to do good, live honestly, and seek truth. Yet, somewhere along the way, distractions, temptations, and cultural norms pull us off course.

For three decades, I’ve been on a mission to uncover truth—about God, my purpose, and the world around me. It hasn’t been easy. We live in a world that thrives on lies. They’re so ingrained in our culture that we hardly notice them anymore. The problem is, we tend to become attached to the lies. We accept them, and even love them, and then we shape our choices, beliefs, and future off of them.

Why We Believe Lies

Good people often justify lying, seeing it as harmless or even necessary. Take Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, for example. Parents tell these stories with the best intentions—as fun traditions. But what do these stories teach? That deception is okay if it’s for a good reason.

Imagine this: as a child, you’re told about Santa, a being you can’t see who brings you gifts if you behave well. Then, one day, you find out it was all a lie. Around the same time, you’re wrestling with whether God—another unseen being—is real. And the same people who told you about Santa are now telling you to believe in God.

Seems small, right? But is it?

Lies, even innocent ones, create cracks in our foundation of trust. They teach us to doubt, to question what’s real. And when we can’t trust others, we struggle to trust ourselves—or God.

Trust Is Everything

Trust is the cornerstone of every meaningful relationship, including our relationship with God. But when deception creeps in early, it plants seeds of doubt. These seeds grow into barriers that make it hard to trust in things we can’t see or fully understand.

It’s no wonder so many people today struggle with confidence and faith. When your life is built on shaky ground, it’s hard to stand firm in who you are.

The Spiritual Battle for Truth

C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters sheds light on this. In the book, demons plot ways to lead humans away from God. One of their most effective tools? Planting doubt about the supernatural. If the enemy can make us question the existence of God, he’s already won half the battle.

Here’s the irony: two of the biggest sources of celebrated deception—Christmas and Easter—are tied to the birth and resurrection of Jesus. These sacred events are meant to draw us closer to God, yet they’re often overshadowed by fictional characters and materialism. Even Halloween, often brushed off as “just fun,” can open doors to spiritual vulnerability.

The result? A culture distracted by lies, unable to see the truth of God’s kingdom.

The Cost of Lies

Lies aren’t just stories we tell—they’re chains that keep us bound. They feed shame and guilt, which then fuel more lies. It’s a cycle that keeps us disconnected from ourselves, from others, and from God.

The person we lie to most? Ourselves.

Self-deception breaks trust within, shattering our confidence and keeping us stuck. We lie to ourselves about our circumstances, and then fail to change them because we were never honest about the problems we were really facing. Facts aren't always fair or comfortable, but they're absolutely necessary if we want to take responsibility for our lives. But here’s the good news: truth has the power to set us free. Living in truth isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Truth disrupts darkness. It brings clarity, confidence, and connection.

The Kingdom Truth We’ve Lost

God created us for freedom and power. But instead of embracing the truth of His kingdom, we’ve settled for entertaining lies. We’ve been so conditioned to accept falsehoods that the truth often feels elusive.

Here’s the reality: the kingdom of God is built on truth, trust, and freedom. When we align with these principles, we step into the fullness of who we were created to be. But stepping into truth takes courage. It’s not the easy path, but it’s the one that leads to real impact.

Truth Unlocks Freedom

Lies steal our confidence, our clarity, and our connection to God.

When you align your life with truth, you unlock freedom, clarity, and purpose.

Take a moment to reflect: What lies have you been telling yourself? Maybe it’s that you’re not good enough. Maybe it’s that you’ll never change. Maybe it’s a lie the culture has taught you about what success or happiness looks like. Or, perhaps you're really unsatisfied with an area in your life, but rather than face the truth you simply sedate under the lie that all is well.

What would it look like to live in complete honesty—with yourself, with others, and with God? Facing the truth isn’t easy, but it’s the only path to genuine freedom.

Commit to Truth Today

Living in truth starts with small, intentional steps. Here’s how you can start:

1. Identify the Lies: Write down the false beliefs you’ve been carrying—about yourself, your worth, your purpose, or your circumstances.

2. Replace Lies with Truth: Get feedback from a mentor, find scriptures or affirmations that counter those lies, then speak them over yourself daily.

3. Live Boldly in Truth: Make a decision to live and speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Truth-telling builds trust, within yourself and with others.

Why This Matters Now

The world is hungry for truth. People are searching for meaning, clarity, and connection in a culture that thrives on confusion. As Outliers—freethinkers, creators, and leaders—it’s up to us to lead by example. We need to show what it means to live boldly in truth and inspire others to do the same.

At The Outlier Brand, we’re building a community of truth-seekers. Together, we’re reclaiming our God-given authority, stepping into our purpose, and living with confidence and clarity.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to break free from the lies and step into a life of truth, purpose, and freedom, I invite you to join us. At The Outlier Brand, you’ll find resources, mentorship, and a community of like-minded people who are committed to living boldly in truth.

Want to go deeper? Check out my website, consider mentoring, or start an Outpost Group with some growth-minded Outliers. All of these will help you uncover the lies, rediscover your identity, and unlock your God-given potential.

Don’t settle for a life of deception and distraction. Truth is waiting for you. Take the first step today.

Be Pure. Stay Savage. Live Boldly.

Trevor