Lying?

[dianetavegia]

LOL, no but you generally don't START a family in your late 40's either. LOLOL

Is it lying if you don't correct someone when they assume something and are incorrect.

Example: Someone compliments you on your diamond earrings but they're just glass.

Is it lying if you imply something that isn't completely true and others assume something about you because of it?

Example: You introduce your wife and children to the boss but they're her children from 2 previous marriages and your birth children aren't even in your life.

Is leaving out details that would change everything lying?

Example: You 'talk yourself up' when applying for a job but forget to tell the boss that your experiences are not directly related to the job you're applying for.

If someone is discussing something such as alcoholism or adultery and you have been hurt by such behavior but are not the offender, you withold that information to protect your repentant spouse, are you lying?

 

[HankD]

When I feel that a conversation has become an unwarranted intrusion I simply say "I don't want to talk about this anymore" or "I'm not going to tell you".

But that's just me.

HankD

 

[dianetavegia]

Better than lying!

 

[manchester]

None of those are lies, IMHO. Silence is not a lie.

 

[dianetavegia]

So, if I say, 'Machester! I LOVE your new car' and it's really your mother in law's and you say nothing, that's not implying I'm correct?

If your boss compliments you on a job well done but your secretary did all the work, you don't give her any credit but remain silent... that's not a lie?

If I outright ask you how you met your spouse and you'd had an affair with them at work while you both were married to someone else, you say 'We worked together', that's not going to harm your Christian testimony when I hear about it from someone else?

Is it lying if you don't correct someone when they assume something and are incorrect.

Example: Someone compliments you on your diamond earrings but they're just glass.

Is it lying if you imply something that isn't completely true and others assume something about you because of it?

Example: You introduce your wife and children to the boss but they're her children from 2 previous marriages and your birth children aren't even in your life.

Is leaving out details that would change everything lying?

Example: You 'talk yourself up' when applying for a job but forget to tell the boss that your experiences are not directly related to the job you're applying for.

If someone is discussing something such as alcoholism or adultery and you have been hurt by such behavior but are not the offender, you withold that information to protect your repentant spouse, are you lying?

I still contend that anything but the absolute truth (or saying 'I'd rather not answer') is a lie. Misleading remarks are premeditated lies.

 

[Thankful]

If I outright ask you how you met your spouse and you'd had an affair with them at work while you both were married to someone else, you say 'We worked together', that's not going to harm your Christian testimony when I hear about it from someone else?

In my opinion, this person answered the question, honestly, they met at work.

Is it important that you know that this person had an affair? What about the testimony of the person who continues to talk about this couple? Could this be considered gossip?

I have the opinion that we do not need to know everything about a person. As Karen stated, I guess, we are not as open in this part of the country.

I had a Sunday School teacher when I was very young, probably 9 or 10 who told as that we had to tell our parents everything that we did wrong, or we would be lying. I would go home every day and tell Daddy everything that I thought I had done wrong. After a few weeks of this, my Dad was a little tired of all my confessions, therefore we had long talk. He said that I didn't have to tell everything that I knew and everything that I did. If he asked me a direct question, then I should answer it truthfully, but I wasn't lying if I didn't tell everything that I know.

He also told me to be very careful about accusing someone of lying or calling them a liar.

There are just some things that other people do not need to know.

Many times these "truthful confessions" tend to hurt people.

 

[manchester]

Originally posted by dianetavegia:
[QB] So, if I say, 'Machester! I LOVE your new car' and it's really your mother in law's and you say nothing, that's not implying I'm correct?

I'm not sure. I don't think I should have a duty to respond.

If your boss compliments you on a job well done but your secretary did all the work, you don't give her any credit but remain silent... that's not a lie?

I think it would be wrong, but I don't think "lie" is the right word for it. I would call that "taking credit for others' work," but not "lying."

There would also be the issue of delegation. If the board of directors congratulates the CEO for the company's strong quarter, I don't think the CEO has to say "I couldn't have done it without all the hardworking employees." It's nice, but not required to avoid a lie.

If I outright ask you how you met your spouse and you'd had an affair with them at work while you both were married to someone else, you say 'We worked together', that's not going to harm your Christian testimony when I hear about it from someone else?

It would harm it however you heard it, but I don't think it's a lie to tell only part of the story. There isn't an obligation to tell everything. There is a phrase for that: "too much information."

 

[dianetavegia]

So the truth is not always necessary? Is it okay to lie sometimes? Are there 'little lies'?

Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

 

[Thankful]

I think some things fall under the category of what is the other person's right to now.

If a stranger calls and wants to know personal information about you, do you tell him because "you can not tell a lie"?

If a person wants to know how old you are, your birth date, etc, do you have to tell them?

What if your neighbor told you where he hides the key to his house, a stranger asks where is the key? Would you tell him?

I think we really have to be careful what we think is a lie.

There are just many times in our lives when silence is golden.

What about a soldier who has critical information? Does he tell the enemy because he cannot lie?

Does a person have to tell where he works or what he does if it is a matter of national security?

I don't think this is a black and white issue.

There is a difference in deliberately deceiving a person for personal gain, etc. than keeping silent when it is in everyone's best interests.

 

[dianetavegia]

Refusing to anwer or keeping quiet is one thing but implications or allowing someone to assume something when you KNOW they're assuming wrong is a lie.

I don't have any problem with someone saying, 'I'm not comfortable talking about this', etc.... or not offering more than is necessary to answer a question honestly but lying is a sin.

I think we're becoming more and more lax about our acceptance of sin.

 

[TC]

And perhaps the sin is when one persons assumes things about another without knowing all the facts.

 

[TaterTot]

I dont think with-holding info is necessarily a sin. As a pastor's wife, many confide in me, and if I were to give out details when folks ask, it could get really bad. Many times, people have asked me about how a family is doing, or even pointedly asked me if I know anything about such-n-such(re:suspected affair) If I say yes, they expect details, if I say yes, but I cant tell you, they'll know it's pretty bad, and if I say no, then I am not telling the whole truth. So I just try to keep my mouth shut as much as possible about other people's private lives.

 

[dianetavegia]

Originally posted by TaterTot:
I dont think with-holding info is necessarily a sin. As a pastor's wife, many confide in me, and if I were to give out details when folks ask, it could get really bad. Many times, people have asked me about how a family is doing, or even pointedly asked me if I know anything about such-n-such (re:suspected affair) If I say yes, they expect details, if I say yes, but I cant tell you, they'll know it's pretty bad, and if I say no, then I am not telling the whole truth. So I just try to keep my mouth shut as much as possible about other people's private lives.

That's not your info to share Tater and I agree with you here! You might answer, "I'm sure they'll share anything they want our church to know."

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I have answered many a personal question with my own question.

"Why on earth would you ask me a question like that?"

It is no one's business how much my jewelry cost or whose car I am driving.

People do not have enough privacy in this day and age. It seems to be a 'tell all' world anymore.

Is nothing sacred? Let them assume all they want. That is their sin - not mine.

 

[rlvaughn]

Silence (or choosing not to answer someone) is not a lie. There is nothing in scripture or reason that supports such a concept. People do not even owe a "I don't want to talk about it" to a nosy question. Choosing not to say anything is not a lie. There are occasions when people deliberately remain silent about something (rather than answering) in order to work a deception on someone. That does not mean all occasions of being silent is being dishonest. Nevertheless, if someone is worried that every nosy person might assume something they don't want them to assume, a "non-responsive" answer such as "I don't want to talk about it" should be sufficient.

 

[dianetavegia]

I believe silence CAN be a lie if your silence is in place of a correction and infers a confirmation of a fact.

James 5:12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes," be "Yes," and your "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

 

[manchester]

Your "yes" should be a "yes," and your "no" should be a "no." But remaining silent is not a "yes" or a "no."

If you intend your silence to be a confirmation of a fact, it might be wrong but I don't think I would call it a lie.

Let's say there is a baby that is average looking. Somebody says, "Isn't that baby boy just the handsomest thing you've ever seen?," and you reply "I'm so happy for them," is that a lie because the silence suggests agreement?

 

[Craigbythesea]

Is nothing sacred? Let them assume all they want. That is their sin - not mine.

Amen!

 

[Thankful]

My mother always worried about what other people would think. It took me many years to get over that and realize that I cannot be responsible for what other people think. No matter how much a person tries to live a Christian life there will be some people who will criticize and find fault.

We must please our Lord and Savior.

 

[Craigbythesea]

Amen!