At first glance, truth and falsehood seem locked in a contest for popularity. But truth cannot truly rival falsehood, just as light cannot be challenged by darkness—darkness is nothing more than the absence of light. Truth stands for life; falsehood represents death, and death is only the absence of life. Truth is often unpopular because it is rare, and when it appears, it disrupts the comfortable grip of falsehood. A lie may enjoy a surge of popularity, but once truth comes to light, the lie quickly falls out of favor.
It is curious how undignified people often become the most popular, a point many overlook. Few remember that Christianity began as something deeply unpopular. When Jesus walked the earth, He was one of the least popular figures—apart from the attention drawn by His miracles, which had little to do with the truth He proclaimed. So why is He now so widely known and embraced? Truth does not fade, and genuine Christianity reflects what lasts forever. Still, there is a kind of popularity that withers when faith is not grounded in truth.
In living out Christianity, it is important to discern the difference between popularity that fades and the kind that grows toward eternity. Popularity can stifle critical thinking, making people take things for granted and allowing popular figures to call the shots. Children begin with pure truths, but they are often influenced and clouded by adults who believe they know everything—even when they do not. Much of what happens around us is simply accepted without question.
It often takes those seen as rebellious to break free from the grip of falsehoods. Rebellion is unfairly linked only to wrongdoing, yet it can also mean standing up against injustice. Challenging authority is frequently frowned upon, even when it aims for positive change, as seen in the liberation struggle. Back then, truth was considered valid only when it came from the Allied forces. Ian Smith could attest that many black people remained obedient, but supporters of the struggle saw them as sell-outs. These compliant individuals may have helped maintain order, despite the label.
Meanwhile, those who supported the liberation cause were often unpopular, silenced to avoid being branded as terrorists—imagine being called a terrorist for fighting for human freedom. Sadly, some who once fought for black emancipation later became oppressive themselves. Freedom remains the most treasured ideal, yet the question is how to secure it under leadership convinced it knows best. Strangely, harmful ideas often gain popularity despite leading to ruin, while good ones usually start off ignored. As Jesus noted in the parable of the mustard seed, greatness often begins small and unnoticed:
“Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’” (Mark 4:30–32 NIV)
A lack of popularity often marks the humble beginnings of something that grows from obscurity into a powerful and unstoppable force. When someone with great ideas is seen as insignificant, they may feel discouraged and sink into despair. Yet Scripture shows how God’s laws come to life in action. It is also important to understand why truthful information develops slowly. On the flip side, things built on falsehood often begin with pomp and fanfare, only to diminish later. People rarely recognize the timing of such deception, but one clue can be its initial popularity. The greatest achievements usually start small, noticed only by the observant. Missing these signs often leads to overlooking valuable truths, which are not always welcomed by the masses. In contrast, false information often gains quick popularity right from the start.
Falsehood thrives through flashy advertising, appealing to what most people find attractive—what benefits the flesh. Yet anything truly useful on a large scale usually results from decades of experimentation before achieving mass acceptance. Science shows this clearly: some breakthroughs come after centuries of trials and repeated rejection. Even now, some of the most valuable truths remain hidden under heavy suppression.
It is like a constant tug-of-war between light and darkness, with darkness often slipping into the spotlight—something advertisers are quick to exploit. That is not to say everything promoted in advertising is worthless, but ads do not define what is truly good or effective. Those things are better vouched for by people who have genuinely benefited from them. At its heart, money and greed distort the truth, taking advantage of the hopes of the innocent majority.
Lies dominate the stage for the sake of profit. They can be pushed front and center while truth is shoved aside, but that does not make them any more valid. Truth might be hidden to seem nonexistent, yet it endures, even when overshadowed by falsehood. Amid the chaos, truth may blend in as if it has vanished, but it never really disappears.
In advertising, falsehood often outshines truth, and while the spotlight can make something popular, it also sets it up to fade. Most things hyped by ads eventually lose their charm, sooner or later. A rich young man once asked Jesus about eternal life but missed the trap of chasing popularity—much like many today still wrestling with the meaning of His words.
“Just then, a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’ ‘Which ones?’ he inquired. Jesus replied, ‘“You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”’ ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’ Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Matthew 19:16–22 NIV)
This was not a parable, but the young man displayed a common human trait. He genuinely longed for God’s Kingdom, yet there seemed no pressing reason to seek it, for he could simply enjoy the benefits of his abundant wealth. His riches made it hard to imagine giving up the cherished advantages of financial prosperity for the sake of God’s Kingdom. The hidden truth he avoided was the inevitable end that awaits all humans, whether through illness or aging. In this world, there is constant competition. Most young men strive to get rich, pursuing careers mainly for wealth and status, while completely overlooking the fleeting nature of life.
Jesus spoke words beyond worldly thinking, far removed from ordinary human behavior. God’s Kingdom was highly valued and sought after by the average Jew, and that is what the rich young man wanted. It is wrong to say the Jews rejected Christ because they did not care about God’s Kingdom—even the wealthiest deeply desired it.
Still, wealth often rivals God’s Kingdom, as people believe—even without proof—that money can solve all their problems. Whether through money or miracles, problem-solving brings popularity. Jesus was popular too, because He helped ordinary people in their struggles with infirmity. Yet His popularity was not something He chased. Jesus cared more about truth than applause. Rather than promoting Himself, He often told those He healed to keep quiet about Him.
“At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He has done everything well,’ they said. ‘He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” (Mark 7:35–37 NIV)
By instructing those people not to tell anyone, Jesus did the opposite of what advertising entails. Advertising may be among the most successful industries in the world. Generally, successful businesses succeed because they advertise. Those who do not advertise are likely to be left behind, unless they hold firmly to the value of truthfulness. The goal of advertising is to build popularity and sustain businesses. Even with a great product, success is hard to achieve without promotion. Jesus had the greatest “product,” yet He avoided advertising.
Considering that His ministry’s message has endured since the first century, there must be another formula for lasting beyond typical promotion. Jesus never promoted Himself or marketed the new way of life as God’s Kingdom in the spotlight. Preaching about God’s Kingdom is different from advertising, which seeks attention for what is being promoted. In fact, preaching stands in contrast to advertising the gospel. Still, the impact of His ministry has lasted for nearly two thousand years.
The rich young man turned away from God’s Kingdom because his wealth was at risk. Today, he is barely imaginable as a historical figure. Whatever value might have preserved his legacy vanished with him. What he tried so hard to protect left no trace in history—except for the biblical account, now serving as a cautionary tale for others to learn from his mistake. Yet in his time, he was clearly well-known. He was surrounded by those also showing off their wealth, so Jesus’ advice did not seem to make sense to him.
How would others with whom he flaunted his opulence view him if he gave away his riches to the poor and lost his popularity? Yet that kind of unpopularity mirrored the lasting popularity found in Jesus, which has only magnanimously grown over time. True popularity comes from pure truth, proven by the impact it makes, and Jesus lifted up those whose lives He had transformed. They could not hide the truth that had changed them. This shows two opposing forces, both capable of creating popularity.
Sadly, many see chasing popularity as normal, and that mindset has fueled corruption in Zimbabwe today. Those who live by their principles do not flaunt their good deeds; instead, they endure mockery and criticism, just as Jesus did when He claimed to be the Christ and faced the cross. Few truly understand what He endured, even though His name is honored worldwide. The truth is, while He is celebrated, falsehood is also spread in His name. But the real Jesus is the same—yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Human nature has not really changed. Those who appeared religious but rejected Jesus in the first century are not much different from those doing the same today, and that kind of scorn will continue until His return. The rich young man who could not part with his wealth for God’s Kingdom is a reflection of many now, and the Pharisees’ mindset still exists in various religious circles. It is more about “what’s in it for me” than about the truth itself.
In a world where everyone is chasing salvation, it is easy to mistake it for running after worldly goals, aiming at accumulating wealth. Too often, the idea gets twisted into pursuing money, thereby spreading false notions, instead of something deeper. Jesus showed that real greatness is not about wealth—true honor comes from giving it all up for God’s Kingdom. For those rooted in His strength, criticism of such a life means little.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11–12 NIV)
There is a kind of respect that comes from enduring persecution and hardship for doing what is right, with the ultimate reward being eternal life. That is central to Christianity, shown by Christ Himself and the early apostles. On the other hand, there is a kind of popularity built on worldly success and praise, which ultimately ends in ruin. Everyone has the freedom to choose, just like the rich young man did. Life is short, so it is worth thinking carefully about how we spend it.
The real value of our physical lives lies in the spiritual good we bring to others. Chasing fame for its own sake is not necessary; instead, we should focus on making a positive difference. A Christian’s decline often shows in their craving for attention and recognition. What matters most is the genuine impact someone has on others, not how much they have gained at others’ expense, no matter how admirable their actions might seem.
In the end, true believers are defined by whether they follow fleeting trends or stand for the often-unpopular truths grounded in God’s Kingdom. The main lure of falsehood over truth is greed, which focuses on self-interest rather than the well-being of others. It puts personal gain first, without considering the effects on those around us. Advertisers often exploit this innate human greed, whose appetite can override thoughtful judgment. Since greed appeals to so many, it is easy to see how falsehood can become trendy, just as Jesus hinted at in Matthew 7:13–14.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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