August 28, 2009
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Questions About Lying
Is it ever right to tell a lie? Is there ever a circumstance that you can think of that will justify you telling a lie?
I am sure you heard the phrase It was just a little white lie—what is that anyway?
Is telling partial truths the same thing as lying?
Is a lie a lie and always a sin? Was Rahab wrong for lying to protect the the two spies?
I am interested in your views on this. Lying is something that really bothers me.
I think that is because I have trust issues because of being lied to so many times.
Comments (10)
I was directed here by a mutual friend to comment on your site. Lying is a BIG deal to me. I think also because of being lied to so much in my life by people who I should have been able to trust. Lying is always hard for me to take and I do believe that you can lie by omission. But, I also think there are times when to leave something out is not a lie. Example: My 7 year old son asks me how his big sister got the baby out of her “tummy” or how did he get there in the first place? I’m expecting one or both of these questions sometime in November! I don’t know what I will say exactly but I probably won’t go into great detail, leaving some things out because of his age. That to me would not be a lie. Also, if someone asks me a personal question and I answer but not fully because I don’t feel comfortable sharing that part of myself with that person, I would not consider that a lie. However, if someone asks me if I gave someone their medication as directed and I say yes, but leave out the fact that I didn’t give them all of it because they were out, I would consider that a lie. Does that make any sense? I actually asked an elder at my church the Rahab question and to be honest I don’t remember what he said. I think I don’t really remember because I’m sure he explained to me how it was actually in that circumstances the right thing to do (that I do remember) but I can’t wrap my head around the fact that it would be OK to lie. Not saying in that situation I wouldn’t do the same thing, because I probably would, but I would feel terribly guilty because I would know that I was lying.
I don’t know if any of this helps you but I hope so.
My opinion: there is never EVER any circumstance that will justify a lie. To me, a lie is anything misleading from the truth. I do believe some lies are innocent: (A family is throwing a surprise bday party for George. The family tells George he can’t be home on said party day between this time and that time. When he asks why, they make up some excuse because the party is meant to be a surprise.) Even then though, the fabricated excuse could be hurtful whether the family knew it or not. I do believe lies are always sins. God is pure and holy, He is a God of truth. I don’t think there is room in His kingdom for lies.
I can relate to your hating lies because of past hurts. I will also admit that I have lied, still lie, and will continue to lie. I’m not proud of it, nor is it something I try to justify. I’m a little more ‘fond’ of the ‘innocent’ lies, like the example I gave. When it comes to serious matters though, truth should be taken all the more seriously.
God is Himself Truth. Lying happens when He is not present. Somehow in situations where lying is taking place, He needs to be introduced. May He give you His wisdom.
I’m glad to see you got some input on this. I wanted to wait until some others commented before I did, since you’ve told me about this and we’ve talked.
I really like the comments above….especially the statements about God being Truth and that lying happens when God is not present. Wow…. That’s powerful!! …I believe that lying is a sin….period. God hates it. (More on that later.) I don’t think there is ANY circumstance where lying is “right”. And yes, ”little white lies” and “partial truths” are still lies.
One of our sons, when he was young, used to lie to us A LOT, and I knew it. But it was hard to stop him from it. It used to make me SO angry!! If there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s lying. I’ve also been hurt by a family member who has lied to me repeatedly. I don’t know why people don’t think I realize it when they’re lying to me, but I do. lol Anyway, maybe they don’t realize how hurtful it is. It is HARD to trust someone after they’ve lied to you. It’s happened to me many times over the years. I’ve done some research over the years on this subject, and there is A LOT in the Bible about it. God HATES lying. Proverbs 6:16-17 says: “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue….” Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” There are MANY scriptures on “deceit”, too. Some of which are, Mark 7:22; Romans 1:29, I Peter 2:1; Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 14:5; and Proverbs 24:28.
I’m happy to say that our son doesn’t seem to be lying anymore. I think he finally got convicted of that and has repented. At least I haven’t seen signs of it! As for the other family member, I’m not totally sure yet…. I think that people who do this really need to be convicted by God and repent of it. Apologizing to the offendee would be good, too, but if he/she is a habitual liar, that might be hard. lol I’m just not sure how much people realize it hurts the other person. I know you’re really hurting because of this kind of thing. I’m sorry…. I guess the only other thing I can say is to give it over to the Lord, and let HIM deal with the people who are doing this. Confrontation, in your case, doesn’t seem to be helping the matter. I’m curious as to what Mike thinks about this. Have you asked him? What does he believe the Bible says about it?
Bless you, my friend.
There is never a right time to lie- lying is a sin according the the Bible.
As strange as it may seem though- there is one account the in the Bible were someone lied and She and all her family was spared from death for it.
There was a lady but the name of Rahab (in the second chapter of Joshua) and she hide a couple of spies up on her roof and lied about it to keep them from being killed. Because she did this, her and her family was spared.
Lies in general are very evil and usually bread more lies and more sin.
If lying is done by the people in great power then its time to get a good lawyer!
People lie for all kinds of reasons and most of the time its to cover up something that is sinful or just plain wrong. A lawyer’s job is to protect the rights of those who are being damaged by lies or what is ever causing the lies.
In all situations pray and seek wisdom and discernment and the Lord will help you!
So Here I am!
…hmmm where to start with this one! HA…..I agree with many that already have commented. It is never good to lie and it is a SIN. As it was mention in in Kateelee1 comment….”the Bible did speak about There was a lady but the name of Rahab (in the second chapter of Joshua) and she hide a couple of spies up on her roof and lied about it to keep them from being killed. Because she did this, her and her family was spared”…The WORD OF GOD does tells us’ Do Not Kill” and yet he sends out armies to do that; although I am not judging the Lord, I understand the “war or fighting” he directed, I just merely trying to learn from it….Rahab lied and lived after that….she has helped GODS people, just as GOD helped his people and had them go to war/fight….
Not sure if I am able to put this -or my thoughts into words correctly. I do not like people who Lies, never did. It is wrong for that situation of those people lying to you and Mike about their care for your daughter. That is NOT ACCEPTABLE.
I do withhold information from people (like sugertomyhoney) has mention in her comment….but in best interest of the other/person….somethings are not the RIGHT TIME to mention….
As for white lies, I know I’ll get flack on this one, but I’m being honest with my reply. I do believe in those…I’ll give you an example: My mother worries soooo much, its a Miracle and Grace of the Lord she is still alive because of the worrying she does!!!!!!!!! I will tell her “white lie” let me just come out and say it the proper way, I Do Lie To Her at times….for the best interest to her…IF I TOLD her the truth she always seeking at times….SHE WOULD WORRY, She would run with it, She would open another door for the enemy to attack her mind and us!…etc….Now, does that mean I am not trusting the Lord???….I don’t believe so…I believe I am using Common sense and wisdom….. IF I am wrong the Lord will clearly point it out and I wait till he deals with me on this……and then I would go and appologize to whoever is involve…I have no problem in doing that…
As for the “trust” issue, we always must let GOD deal with us and others. Leave it there at the foot of the cross. IF it hurts someone else, because they are always going to wonder if I am Lying or White Lying to them…then they need to go back to the basic’s ….LEAN ON GOD AND TRUST HIM ONLY…After all HE IS The best one for all things! isn’t he? IF We do believe He really is, then It SHOULDN”T be hard at all for us then. We are human and I will stress this, SOME Christians really do try their best for the sake of their freinds, or people in general. To do the right thing. We are NOT PERFECT and nor should we allow room for others for their mistakes. As we have all made them whether its lying or something else. Its just some people will take “lying” as its a normal thing to do,Which it is NOT, Nor IT IS NOT A GOOD THING. It is a SIN. SO is Worrying a Sin. So we should not put too much into Worrying either, should we?
I thank the Lord, for I know HE is at work in me daily. HE is chipping away in me. My life is not mine but HIS. I do the Best I Can and leave the rest for Jesus to help me with.
Hope this helps Trina, Sorry for the book I just typed! HA
God Bless your family & you!
In my above statement…i wrote: We are NOT PERFECT and nor should we allow room for others for their mistakes.
Correction: We are NOT PERFECT and Should ALLOW ROOM for others for their mistakes.
I didnt catch the words “nor should” ty. Hope that was all the mistakes I made in that comment box! HA
Okay another i typed “Its just some people will take “lying” as its a normal thing to do,Which it is NOT, Nor IT IS NOT A GOOD THING”
Correction should be: Its jsut some people will take “lying” as its a normal thing to do, Which it is Not, Nor IS IT A GOOD THING TO DO” It IS WRONG TO LIE.
Okay, maybe I should go back to bed! LOL
Truth is the opposite of a lie. sometime I have to set and think of how can I do an independent investigation of truth. How do we uncover what the truth is.
I saw a program where “christian” was worshiping snake, now is this truth or lie. They say it is truth to them.
One thing I can express is this: God is truth. Truth is divine. The truth is that God believes in me.
I agree with most everything I have read above. I have major issues with lying. In fact, I probably am too rigid about what is a lie and what isn’t. I have someone in my life that is completely OBLIVIOUS to most of the lies that they tell. SO, as in tau_1 ‘s comment, is that a lie or because they believe it is it their truth?
This person is highly intelligent and fully capable of discerning the truth IF they put the effort into trying to remember what happened the day before instead of saying, “I don’t remember”, making something up, or leaving things out (in their opinion ‘accidently’). As I mentioned, I fight with this constantly. If you say you are going to be somewhere until 4, then be there until 4, not 3 or 5 without calling. In the day and age of cell and other phones/means of communication…COMMUNICATE.
See, I told you I am too literal. Obviously, I have been burned.
However, I have learned that perception is also a problem. “Almost” to one person can be a totally different thing to another. 1 mile vs 10. Is that a lie?