Lying?

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

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.

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."

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

Amen!

 

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.

 

Amen!