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Because WhatsApp uses the Signal protocol design nobody ends up able to prove anything useful about the message history. To any outsider, including the WhatsApp server operators, the messages are opaque. To a participant, including you, the system delivers authenticated messages but deliberately doesn't sign them. So:

Alice knows she didn't send this message, so it's from Bob, but she can't prove to anyone else that she didn't just fake it.

Bob knows he sent the message but he can deny it and there's no proof.

Eve has no idea what the message was, even if Alice or Bob show her the real message she can't verify they aren't lying.

What about those messages before the signal protocol was adopted?

Better start coffin shopping, because it's going to happen...some day.

maybe take it as a wake up call to start acting morally/honestly/whatever positive opposite to what you did?

there are lots of reasons someone can fear for their lives if their whatsapp history became public, that do not involve unethical behaviour by that person. usually involves unethical behaviour by other persons, though. probably wise not to judge as quickly without knowledge of the entire picture.