What do you think of Lying?

[PrettyKitty1]

I wonder how many people think lying is good or bad, and why? Is lying truly necessary to achieve something?

You guys are more than welcome to support your answers based on religion, personal experiences or politics.

[Trialanderror]

Is lying truly necessary to achieve something? Good question - no, on the contrary. There is no progress but just a vicious cycle if we lie. If I screw up, I need to be honest about it to move on and let others move on. Life is a process of decision-making and even if I just lie to myself, I will make erratic decisions if they are based on lies.

Have I lied? Yes. To protect someone for a while until he would expose his lies on his own. To gain time. To shut down a conversation. To escape parental threats. To appear less bold on a first date. Yep, and it never felt good....because I blush from neck to scalp.

[stubby226]

Lying?  What is that??  Just trying to bring a smile to your face.  I know from past experience that once someone tells a lie they have started the ball rolling that will continue to pick up gabage as it rolls down hill.  Then when this ball of destruction stops who knows how many peopl it will hurt.  I do not like lying but I remember ther last time I lied.  My older sister was was killed in an autoaccident about 30 years ago out of state.  My mother wanted me to call the emergency room to see if my sister had said anything before she died and if she had suffered.  I knew what my mother wanted to hear.  I told her that the nurse said that my sister had not sufferred and that her last words were, "Tell my mom I love her."  Yes I lied.  Do I feel guilty,  No.  I do wish it had been true and under different circumstances it could have been.  The nurse did say she was unconscious and did not appear to be sufferring.  I  would like to think if she was awake she would have said that.  So..was I wrong?  I don't think so.  Others may have different idea.

How do I deal with interviews...Iell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  There are very few businesses that would be unable to find out the truth any way.

Asking someone how I look is a set up.  If I am so insecure that I need their approval I will not believe what they say or I will be hurt by what is said.  I used to ask my hubby how I looked.  I would not believe him if he said nice and I would resent it if he was negative.  I dress for myself and if I feel comfortable that is what is important.  If someone asks me how they look I frequently would ask how they felt about how they looked.  By doing that I did not assume the role of judge and jury.

[PrettyKitty1]

Sassy,

You've said it all hon!!! I could not agree more :)

[SassyLassie]

I agree PK, I truly feel in cases like you mentioned that our Lord does not condemn lying. I think there are definitely times when it would actually be detrimental to someone if we were blunt and told the truth. As April said, God is the best judge, and it is best to leave the judgment to Him.  :)

[PrettyKitty1]

April,

I remember reading Rahab's story. Thank you for bringing that up!! You're great :)

[April2]

Good point, PK. There's a story in the Bible about a harlot named Rahab who hid some of God's prophets and lied to the people looking for them. Scriptures do not condemn her for lying though, it praises her for her faith and good works, so I think we have to be careful to leave the judging up to God. Perhaps there are times that God allows it such as in your case, PK with your aunt. You were being kind to her and giving her hope. I don't think God would condemn you for that.