Truth, Accountability, and the Disappearance of Common Sense

Illustration of mixed-race children representing accountability and common sense in a cheerful, nature-themed Disney-style design. Created using DALL·E.

Introduction: The House We Built

We are all living in the house we built—decision by decision, brick by brick. That phrase might sound poetic, but it’s painfully real. Every outcome we face in life, whether we admit it or not, is connected to choices we’ve made, habits we’ve formed, and truths we’ve either embraced or ignored.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”— Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

We often say, "everything happens for a reason," but few people acknowledge when they are the reason. That’s not just a mindset issue—it’s a cultural shift away from accountability. And when accountability disappears, common sense follows right behind it.

Two Lives, One Environment: The Divergence of Choice

Imagine two young men—same street, same struggles, same schools, same lack of access. We’ll call them Terrance and Jalen.

Both grew up in a neighborhood that many had written off. Poverty was normalized. Hope was rationed. They were surrounded by violence, poor role models, and few economic opportunities. Yet as adults, their lives couldn’t look more different.

Terrance is now serving a sentence for armed robbery. Jalen is running a small but growing digital design company. They both faced similar external conditions, but made very different internal choices.

Jalen found mentors. He got tired of excuses. He chose struggle with integrity over shortcut with crime. Terrance allowed bitterness to guide him, choosing the fastest way to power—even if it came with handcuffs.

Same context. Different character.

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”— Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)

This doesn’t mean systems don’t matter—because they do. But to assume only systems determine destiny erases the power of choice, the necessity of resilience, and the responsibility of action.

The Weaponization of Language

Language is no longer about communication—it’s become a tool for manipulation. Terms like "equity," "justice," and "trauma" have legitimate roots—but today they’re too often used as emotional shields to avoid honest discussion.

Justice now means “I didn’t get my way.”Equity means “everyone must have the same outcome.”Trauma is any experience we didn’t like.

Truth is now subjective, and whoever shouts the loudest is assumed to be right.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness...”— Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)

These twisted definitions create confusion. They allow victimhood to be used as currency. Real suffering becomes overshadowed by performance. And worst of all, we lose the ability to distinguish between injustice and irresponsibility.

Bananas and Broken Dialogue: A Real Example

Here’s a real story from my own life.

I love bananas. I eat them every day. My daughter, on the other hand, hates them. She can’t stand the smell, taste, or texture.

Now, imagine if I told her: “Because you won’t eat bananas, you have poor health habits, and must be on drugs.”

Ridiculous, right?

But that’s how people debate now. One disagreement on a topic—politics, social values, health decisions—and suddenly your entire character is called into question. We no longer assume others are thinking; we assume they’re enemies.

“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”— James 1:19 (ESV)

This inability to separate disagreement from disrespect is poisoning our ability to reason. It’s tearing apart families, friendships, and communities—not because we can’t get along, but because we refuse to allow others to be different.

The Hustle of Victimhood

There’s a harsh truth we have to face: Victimhood is now a hustle.

Some people—yes, even within our own community—are turning pain into a platform. Struggle sells. Outrage is monetized. And the louder your grievance, the more visibility you gain, even if you’re not doing anything to solve the issue.

But real suffering should never be a stage prop. It deserves reverence, not rebranding. When we normalize false victimhood, we silence the voices of real victims.

“They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.”— Titus 1:16 (ESV)

There is a difference between being oppressed and being offended. Between systemic barriers and bad decisions. And until we reclaim the difference, we will keep encouraging irresponsibility as if it’s righteousness.

Foundations Lost: Faith, Fathers, and Foolishness

Our spiritual compass is broken.

We’ve replaced God’s Word with hashtags. We exalt celebrities and influencers who mock morality. We speak more about “manifesting” than we do about discipline and prayer.

Worse, we vilify structure—fathers, pastors, elders—because their correction feels uncomfortable. We throw away tradition without understanding its purpose.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”— Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

No wonder we’re lost.

A society that silences fathers, mocks faith, and follows feelings will raise generations that know their rights but not their responsibilities.

The Wolves Among Us: Culture’s False Shepherds

We’ve mistaken volume for virtue. Many of today’s loudest voices—activists, influencers, and politicians—are more interested in power than in people.

They sound like freedom but act like false prophets. They tear down truth and call it “liberation.” They demand loyalty but offer no solutions.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”— Matthew 7:15 (ESV)

They don’t want progress. They want power. And once you disagree with them, you’re excommunicated—even from your own community.

It’s not justice—it’s idolatry.

What’s the Cause and What’s the Cure?

The cause of our cultural decay is layered:

• We abandoned accountability in favor of attention.

• We distorted truth for trend.

• We replaced faith with feelings.

• We replaced healthy disagreement with digital warfare.

The effects are everywhere:

• Worsening family structure

• Crippling youth identity crises

• Division by ideology, not integrity

• Outrage addiction and echo chambers

So what’s the redirection?

Seven Redemptive Actions We Can Take

1. Teach and model accountability

   “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” — Romans 14:12

   Say it. Own it. Live it. Accountability isn’t shame—it’s growth.

   
   

2. Speak uncomfortable truths with love

   “Speak the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

   Stop softening truth to be accepted. You can be kind and clear.

   
   

3. Rebuild spiritual foundations

   Go back to the Word. Prioritize prayer. Discuss scripture in your home—not just in church.

   
   

4. Honor fatherhood and mentorship

   Invest in young men. Encourage fathers. Don't minimize their role.

   
   

5. Restore the ability to disagree without destruction

   Unity doesn’t require uniformity. Let’s bring nuance back to our conversations.

   
   

6. Educate from a place of principle, not popularity

   Use your platforms to teach—not perform. To guide—not manipulate.

   
   

7. Remember that truth is not owned—it is revealed

   “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” — John 17:17

Final Word: The Monuments We Build

When a society loses truth, it starts building monuments to confusion—and calls them justice. It replaces repentance with revenge. It crucifies those who speak hard truths and elevates those who say nothing of substance.

“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”— Psalm 11:3 (ESV)

But we don’t have to follow that script.

We can choose to rebuild.

To restore conversation.

To reclaim accountability.

Let’s build something that lasts—not a movement for the moment, but a legacy of wisdom, resilience, and truth.

Because in the end, truth doesn’t belong to us—it belongs to God.