Should I Work for a Agency that Would Require me to Lie?

[righteousdude2]

I enjoyed the question about "Lying," and it caused me to think about a believer working in a job that would require them to lie, stretch the truth or alter the facts to accomplish a task or be successful on the job.

For example, a used car and even new car, salesperson would have to lie at times, or at least stretch the truth to make that sale.

A mortgage broker (and we know this to be true because lying resulted in bad loans that broke the economy and depressed it a few years back) would have to lie or stretch the facts to make a living.

In my case, in order to catch bad guys, like child molesters, child abusers, etc., I had to tell lies in order to get them to reveal the truth of what they did. To catch an unlicensed day-care provider, I'd have to either go to the home and pretend I was looking for a day or do it over the phone, and then cite them when I discovered they had no valid license. This always meant shutting them down and leaving them with no ability to make a living, and it left parents who left their kids there without a day care, inconveniencing them while the sought a place to care for their children!

I always felt bad about having to lie, but as the unit manager, I had to do my job.

That always bothered me, and I had one Christian gal, that refused to lie to accomplish the tasks I just told you about, so I told her that was fine, and had others do that lying, when needed, by pairing her up with an investigator that had no qualms with lying!

I think you get the idea. So the question is, should a believer work in a career that will require lying, no matter what the reason, in order to seal the deal for their employer?

 

[Revmitchell]

I was bivo at my first church. I sold Trane A/C. The Christian owner wanted me to work the owners portion of the rebate back into the cost of the unit. I no longer worked their.

 

[padredurand]

I sold cars for seven years working my way up from beating the lot to sales manager. If the boss ever caught you lying you were out the door.

 

[HAMel]

RD2, nope. If any agency lies to the customer they will lie to you. You're in business to make money and earn a living. No room for lies.

 

[matt wade]

Why would a car salesman or mortgage broker need to lie to make a living?

 

[Salty]

Why would a car salesman or mortgage broker need to lie to make a living?

To push the customer over that last hump to close the deal.

Not justifying, just answering the question.

For example, I also sold cars at a Ford dealership)( I wonder if I was the one who replaced Padre) - well one of the other salesman stated when asked by a customer if he drove a Ford - he would answer yes. What he did not mention was that Ford was one that belong to the company - and I am not talking about a demo that he drove home every day.

 

[matt wade]

To push the customer over that last hump to close the deal.

Not justifying, just answering the question.

For example, I also sold cars at a Ford dealership)( I wonder if I was the one who replaced Padre) - well one of the other salesman stated when asked by a customer if he drove a Ford - he would answer yes. What he did not mention was that Ford was one that belong to the company - and I am not talking about a demo that he drove home every day.

I asked why they would need to lie, not why they would or might. The OP asserts they "would have to lie or stretch the facts to make a living."

 

[InTheLight]

well one of the other salesman stated when asked by a customer if he drove a Ford - he would answer yes. What he did not mention was that Ford was one that belong to the company - and I am not talking about a demo that he drove home every day.

Where's the lie?

 

[Baptist Believer]

Where's the lie?

A lie is a deliberate intent to mislead by expressing something that is not true, or revealing only part of the truth, in order to influence someone.

When someone confesses what they told you is "technically true," they are admitting that they have lied. They have omitted context or additional information that will put what they have told you into a new light.

The spirit of the command against false witness is the command not to be a person who deceives or manipulates with words.

 

[Zaac]

I enjoyed the question about "Lying," and it caused me to think about a believer working in a job that would require them to lie, stretch the truth or alter the facts to accomplish a task or be successful on the job.

For example, a used car and even new car, salesperson would have to lie at times, or at least stretch the truth to make that sale.

A mortgage broker (and we know this to be true because lying resulted in bad loans that broke the economy and depressed it a few years back) would have to lie or stretch the facts to make a living.

In my case, in order to catch bad guys, like child molesters, child abusers, etc., I had to tell lies in order to get them to reveal the truth of what they did.

Tough situation and I don't know that you HAD to lie. It's the world's way and no doubt what they trained you to do in order to "get the job done".

To catch an unlicensed day-care provider, I'd have to either go to the home and pretend I was looking for a day or do it over the phone, and then cite them when I discovered they had no valid license. This always meant shutting them down and leaving them with no ability to make a living, and it left parents who left their kids there without a day care, inconveniencing them while the sought a place to care for their children!

I always felt bad about having to lie, but as the unit manager, I had to do my job.

Once again, it's a question of conviction. Making money by doing something disobedient or honoring God with our obedience. We shouldn't allow ourselves to be ruled by the pursuit of money, but often times we all do forget in our day to day jobs and we compromise.

That always bothered me, and I had one Christian gal, that refused to lie to accomplish the tasks I just told you about, so I told her that was fine, and had others do that lying, when needed, by pairing her up with an investigator that had no qualms with lying!

YUCK! I wouldn't have done this either. You don't want any Christian thinking you're okay with dishonesty. It sets a bad example.

I think you get the idea. So the question is, should a believer work in a career that will require lying, no matter what the reason, in order to seal the deal for their employer?

I again don't think you had to lie. People in like positions have seen others lie so they assume that's the only way to effectively do the job.

 

[Zaac]

I asked why they would need to lie, not why they would or might. The OP asserts they "would have to lie or stretch the facts to make a living."

And I definitely disagree with that thought too. I think the OP and people who have been in similar positions are told to do things a certain way because that's how everyone else has accomplished a task.

But Christians have to have integrity. we can't let the world hold mammon over our head as a reason to disobey God.

 

[Salty]

Where's the lie?

What the customer was implying if the salesman own a Ford. (as this was a Ford Dealership)
(and now one of a few dealerships that only sells one make of autos)

I did - and was glad to inform my customers as such.

Why would you want to own a competing product of what you were trying to sell?

 

[Rolfe]

When someone confesses what they told you is "technically true," they are admitting that they have lied. They have omitted context or additional information that will put what they have told you into a new light.

Perfect timing for this statement. April 15 is only two weeks away. :laugh:

 

[Rolfe]

Active thread until tax day is mentioned. Then chirping crickets. :laugh:

 

[Baptist Believer]

Perfect timing for this statement. April 15 is only two weeks away. :laugh:

Yes. We must be honest, even if it costs us.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Why would you want to own a competing product of what you were trying to sell?

As someone who has made a living as a commission salesman and has worked in marketing for multi-million dollar contracts for more than a decade, it is bad business to be dishonest. You live and die by your reputation - if you want to be around long-term - and lies completely undermine your ability to solicit additional business.

You don't have to be an owner of a product (or even like it) to sell it honestly and effectively. I have sold many things I could not afford for myself, but that doesn't mean that I am a hypocrite for selling it. Moreover, I have owned competing products to what I was selling - usually, purchased before having the new product to sell - and you offer the product you have been commissioned to sell using an honest comparison between products and promoting the value in the one you have been asked to sell. Fortunately, I have never been put in the position of selling junk, so I didn't have to quit my job to keep my ethics.

For companies that are not selling simple commodities and look beyond the immediate bottom line, there is something called being a "trusted advisor." The process to becoming a trusted advisor to potential clients often involves an event where you need to tell your client that a product of service that you do not sell will most effectively meet their need. That is the moment when they realize that you are looking out for them, not yourself, and you can be trusted to help them make good decisions. When you become a trusted advisor, you become the first point-of-contact whenever their is a new opportunity to sell goods or services and both you and your client are enriched.

 

[padredurand]

What the customer was implying if the salesman own a Ford. (as this was a Ford Dealership)
(and now one of a few dealerships that only sells one make of autos)

I did - and was glad to inform my customers as such.

Why would you want to own a competing product of what you were trying to sell?

Friends don't let friends drive Fords.

 

[InTheLight]

Friends don't let friends drive Fords.

 

[Rolfe]

Found On the Road Dead.

 

[TC]

Fix Or Repair Daily