You Can’t Handle The Truth??? Part II
…continued
I am still not sure on this one. Ronnie Deane is what sparked me to ask this question one more time when he said love is dishonest and then explained why love is dishonest and, from his explanation, told us why it is alright to be dishonest. Although I know what the word says and what I have been taught, many of the comments I have heard on kleverkathy.com have me confused. So I must ask again in a very point blank manner. Is lying among Christians alright?
Before you emphatically say “No” (the correct moral and spiritual answer) go back to my article You Can’t Handle The Truth, (it is no longer on the front page, scroll down and then go to page two) and then read What’s Love Got To Do With It, and then read Ronald Deane’s comment, and then leave your comment, even if you commented before.
Here’s the thing, I have been lied to SOOOOOO much lately. I don’t know if I would know the truth if it bit me on the nose 
) And listen, I am not perfect. I too have done my share of lying. But I try not to and pride myself in not lying. I don’t pride in it in the aspect of thinking I am better than you or the next guy. I pride myself in the fact that I am trying to adjust my Christian walk to be pleasing to God and whenever a situation comes and I could lie and don’t, I am proud! That is really what not lying for me is about. I won’t sit here and say I haven’t or still don’t abuse the truth at times. I can’t say the devil hasn’t caught me off guard and a lie/untruth/deceit comes out of me. But I can say, I don’t ever intend on flat out lying, just to lie. And hear this, IF I DO IT, IT IS WRONG!!!
I know blogging is all about one conversation leading to another and so on, but I hope we can stay somewhat focused and not get into: what is the greater sin or all sins are the same or you’re so arrogant talking about others lying. I’m saying upfront, I am not judging you or anyone, I’m trying to find out the viewpoints of Christians I identify with and, I think, believe the same way I believe. So my question of the day comes from the feeling I get that many Christians don’t believe lying is wrong, if you have a good reason. Is lying wrong? Is lying a sin? Are there situations and circumstances that make lying ok? Do you lie? lol. (you know mother Allen said, if you’ll lie, you’ll steal and if you’ll steal, you’ll lie)
Bear with me. Again I say, I have been lied to so much lately and have the feeling, those who lie to me still plan on making heaven their home! Really??? Ok, I’m a prude! But I’d rather be safe than sorry on judgment day!
Please holla back!
Wow! I don’t know what to say on that one. I do believe lying is wrong, even though I’ve done my share. I don’t think I’ll ever tell somebody it’s alright to do it under certain circumstances. For instance, I would never tell my kids it’s alright. I want to at least try and guide them in the right direction. I expect they’ll end up telling they’re own share of fibs throughout life, as we all do, because it’s part of our fleshly nature to sin first. Not lying or sinning is the part that we have to kill repeatedly each day. I just can’t get with trying to justify it.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Also “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 There is plenty of word in the Bible that lets us know that lying is a sin. But it says “false witness that speaketh lies”. What if the person was a caring witness that speaketh lies? I believe the wrong intent or motive of lying is a sin. If one lies to deceive or gain an advantage over another to manipulate a situation or circumstance to gain power or wealth, than that is wrong. On the other hand, if your lying intent or motive is filled with love and compassion to help, save or bless someone. Is this a sin? i.e… There is such a thing as a noble lie. A noble lie is a lie that would normally cause discord if it was uncovered, but which offers some benefit to the liar and assists in creating order, therefore potentially beneficial to everyone in our society. It is often told to maintain law, order and safety. A noble lie usually has the effect of helping a leader maintain power or keeping our society safe and to stop mass panic and paranoia. I would say if I were President of the United States of America and I was exposed to top secret information that stated an imminent plot to destroy 1 million innocent people in New York on a particular date would take place. I would not go on national news and tell everyone about the top secret information. I would manipulate the truth and change it to keep mass panic and chaos from happening. I would lie with love and compassion to save as many people as possible knowing the truth. If I told our country the whole entire truth, all hell would break loose within minutes. This is just one example of Love being dishonest at times in rare situations or circumstances, lying can save lives.
Another example: if a love one’s husband, known for being violent and physically abusive toward your family member or friend was looking for that love one over your house. You knowingly and willingly allow that love one to hide out at your house. The abusive husband comes to your door looking for her with a weapon, would you say sure come right on in and have a cup of coffee, Alice is hiding out in my closet waiting for you. Or would you say I haven’t seen her today and you need to get off of my property before I call the police. Would you choose to operate out of dishonest love or would you be honest and have to deal with the potential consequences of your love one being killed or hurt, including yourself. It’s not the lie that is the sin it’s the negative motive or intent of the lie that is the sin.
The way our current society is, the first thing that comes out of a person’s mouth could very well be a lie. People don’t want to be wrong, don’t want to be caught, don’t want to fall behind and don’t want to lose. That is just a small sampling of the reasons people will almost automatically lie.
I don’t think lying is OK because the bible says so and because lies will just complicate things. But lying is unavoidable so we have to accept that fact that the truth will not always exist or at least be part of the equation.
Tom Sawyer’s last blog post..Afghanistan’s President Keeps The Country Far From Civilized
@Ronad Deane – Ronnie Deane, Ronnie Deane. If an abusive spouse came to my house looking for his wife, I would simply say, you need to leave before I call the police! I don’t have to lie nor do I have to tell him where she is! The one thing about lying that I have never understood, many times it is unnecessary one way or the other. The problem is, too often, people just talk too much! I will look dead at you and say nothing before revealing truth that might cause chaos or before telling a lie that might cause chaos! And I believe my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will honor anything I do because He has told me to do it.
And the politics thing, again, we never have to even know many things, one way or the other. Are all the lies politicians tell for our own good? lol. Let’s not give them another reason to lie!
@Tom Sawyer – People don’t want to be wrong, don’t want to be caught, don’t want to fall behind and don’t want to lose. EXACTLY!
Bring back the days of yea and nay!
With that said, let’s all remember The Winans in prayer as they grief the loss of Pop Winans.
@Kathy – Not saying a word in those situations that I mentioned is lying as well. You are manipulating the situation or person you’re speaking to by deciding not to speak. So that is considered a lie. Telling part of the truth and knowing the rest is deception and manipulation. There are many types of lies. Read the definition of a lie.
lol. If you ask me a question and I don’t answer, I am not lying! I don’t have to read any definition but here you go:
• tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive
• a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
If you, an abuser, come to my house and ask me if your wife is at my house and I say you need to leave before I call the police, how is that telling a lie!!! I am not trying to make you believe she is there or not there. I just want you to leave!
I agree there is such a thing as a lie of omission but, in a lot of cases, not speaking when asked a question FOR ME, is not a tactic to deceive or reroute the truth, it is a tactic to avoid a potentially bad situation either way.
Most people can’t handle the truth much less tell it. My neighbor goes to the same church as me, so one day she asks me why she was always having problems with some of the members and the pastor.
“Do you really want to know the truth?” I asked.
“Sure,” She replied, “I sure do.”
First of all you’re always butting in when people are talking. You walk right in, say excuse me and begin to say wahtever it is that you think is so important.
Second you’re nosey and a busy body. Last sunday pastor was talking to the deacons about what he wanted for easter and you butted in and began to make suggestions. Then you went and said something to his wife about how your idea came from God. People put up with because they have to not because they like you…
Well I haven’t seen her since.
I can say that from my dealings here most of you can’t handle being told like it is. I’ve had 2 or 3 people get mad with me because they didn’t like what I said, even though it was true.
Most people see themself for exactly what they aren’t.
Don’t be THAT EASILY swayed!! Get your dictionary and your bible and use them both. Look up words like “sin”,”deceive”,”"lying”,”mind” and
“heart”- study them. In this day and time we cannot afford to NOT be ready to defeat the enemy!! It’s imperative to know just what you believe and be ready to defend it. We’ve got generations following us and we must be ready to lead. What mom & dad said may be well and good (and yes I am a PK)but they won’t be holding my hands nor speaking for me on judgement day. Don’t get me wrong, I still do my studying and reading just like that…bibles and dictionaries.
I just think Tom said it best…bring back the days of yea and nay!! Yes, we all may lie but we have GOT to die daily and daily ask for forgiveness, mercy, and grace for things we don’t even know that we do. I also think like Kathy saying nothing is not lying to manipulate.
What happened to Ananias and Sapphira should help us think maybe two or three times more about telling an untruth Acts5:1-10 Check out Hosea and the trials he had with Gomer. We have examples, we just have to read about them and try daily to line up our lives with the Word of God.
As I read through all the great comments, I just want this to be on the record. I do not support lying or believe its ok to lie. I was simply making a comment that I believe the intent and motive of the lie should be examined more closely. And yes, you can lie and manipulate a situation by not speaking. Body language is very powerful. Sometimes what we don’t speak can be more powerful and persuasive than what we do speak. Do you understand your cup to be half empty or half full? Telling half the truth is a lie, not telling half the truth is a lie, especially when you have knowledge of the entire truth. If you plead the 5th, you’re basically saying I admit what I did but I ain’t telling you. Prove it! This is a form of deception.
@Ronald Deane – You are on record Ronnie Deane. I always appreciate and look forward to your comments! You keep me on my toes!