In business we call it the "tone at the top." What leaders do, so will others. If leadership is honest and demonstrates high integrity, followers will behave similarly. On the other hand, the "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy will not produce honesty and high integrity. Like it or not, behavioral norms are shaped by those that influence us, directly or indirectly.
When we work for a company, subject ourselves to government leaders, listen or view biased news media or attend a church we are affected, positively or negatively. I think it was Hitler that said something like, "If you tell a lie long enough it will eventually sound like the truth!" While lying may not be the intention of many partisan politicians today, the disingenuous party line has been spoken for so long it sounds like the truth. For many business leaders, employee motivation techniques have become manipulation. For some religious leaders, serving the needs of others has become empire building instead of Kingdom building.
We can easily become like the frog placed in a pan of cool water. It doesn't recognize the temperature is being increased until it is too late. Our tolerance of lies and unethical behavior of leaders in business, government and religion gradually shapes our belief systems to be like those over us. Our consciences become seared, like with a hot iron, and we become like them! 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
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