When are we lying ?

[Sudsy]

This thread is to share thoughts on when we have crossed the line in our conversations to be guilty of lying.

A definition of lying -

1. to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
2. to create a false or misleading impression

A few areas to consider -

1. Are all exaggerations lies ?
2. Are some uses of hyperbole lies and some not ?
3. Are overstatements lies ?
4. Is an overemphasis lying ?

Here is a statement, is it true or not ? -

If you exaggerate with the intent of making it sound like the truth to benefit you, it's a lie.

Did Jesus use hyperbole ? ' Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.'' Luke 10:4

[NedFlanders]

Jesus loved to tell stories to relate a message. Maybe the disciples simply understood Christ to being saying in Luke 10:4 to not be distracted by any unnecessary things, and if something will distract you just get rid of it so you can see to the mission at hand.

[Neto]

Number 2 in the top list (definition of lying) may be like "being evasive or technically honest, with a purpose of deception."
Are there cases in which this is acceptable? Such as when being interrogated? (Example: A story goes around that the coach that Menno Simons was riding on was stopped by the authorities. As the carriage came to a stop, he quickly jumped out and asked the authorities what they wanted. They asked if Menno Simons was in the coach. He leaned in and asked, everyone inside said no, which he reported to those who were after him. So they rode off, and Menno climbed back in and they all continued on their journey.)

[Sudsy]

Jesus loved to tell stories to relate a message. Maybe the disciples simply understood Christ to being saying in Luke 10:4 to not be distracted by any unnecessary things, and if something will distract you just get rid of it so you can see to the mission at hand.

In the Luke 10:4 account Jesus sent 72 of His followers out with somewhat similar instructions that He gave to the 12 disciples that He sent out to the Jews only, in Matthew 10. I don't think it was hyperbole either and the Matthew 10 account gives more detail that He was talking about them not taking extras with them for this mission and they were to trust that God will provide their needs through some hospitable people who will receive them, which occurs in both texts.

[Sudsy]

Number 2 in the top list (definition of lying) may be like "being evasive or technically honest, with a purpose of deception."
Are there cases in which this is acceptable? Such as when being interrogated? (Example: A story goes around that the coach that Menno Simons was riding on was stopped by the authorities. As the carriage came to a stop, he quickly jumped out and asked the authorities what they wanted. They asked if Menno Simons was in the coach. He leaned in and asked, everyone inside said no, which he reported to those who were after him. So they rode off, and Menno climbed back in and they all continued on their journey.)

This reminds me of the story of Joseph in the OT when he hid his identity from his brothers.

Some Christians believe that omitting detail is the same as lying. Some claim that Joseph was actually lying to his brothers about his identity. Others do not view this as lying, nor being maliciously deceptive. So there are going to be differences of opinion on this subject, even from people who stand firmly on Scripture as the ultimate authority.

[Valerie]

Number 2 in the top list (definition of lying) may be like "being evasive or technically honest, with a purpose of deception."
Are there cases in which this is acceptable? Such as when being interrogated? (Example: A story goes around that the coach that Menno Simons was riding on was stopped by the authorities. As the carriage came to a stop, he quickly jumped out and asked the authorities what they wanted. They asked if Menno Simons was in the coach. He leaned in and asked, everyone inside said no, which he reported to those who were after him. So they rode off, and Menno climbed back in and they all continued on their journey.)

This reminds me of the story of Joseph in the OT when he hid his identity from his brothers.

Some Christians believe that omitting detail is the same as lying. Some claim that Joseph was actually lying to his brothers about his identity. Others do not view this as lying, nor being maliciously deceptive. So there are going to be differences of opinion on this subject, even from people who stand firmly on Scripture as the ultimate authority.

And then there's Rahab who actually did lie which saved Jews and made her noteworthy. As in a hero so to speak.

[RZehr]

But was it her lying that proved her faith? Or did she lie because her faith was not yet full?
She was also a prostitute along with a liar. Her lying means nothing to us today as far as instructive faithful behavior goes.

All of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, were imperfect and we could very easily point to their flaws. But those flaws are not why they were faithful. They were flawed, but faithful human being in-spite of that.

[Neto]

Number 2 in the top list (definition of lying) may be like "being evasive or technically honest, with a purpose of deception."
Are there cases in which this is acceptable? Such as when being interrogated? (Example: A story goes around that the coach that Menno Simons was riding on was stopped by the authorities. As the carriage came to a stop, he quickly jumped out and asked the authorities what they wanted. They asked if Menno Simons was in the coach. He leaned in and asked, everyone inside said no, which he reported to those who were after him. So they rode off, and Menno climbed back in and they all continued on their journey.)

This reminds me of the story of Joseph in the OT when he hid his identity from his brothers.

Some Christians believe that omitting detail is the same as lying. Some claim that Joseph was actually lying to his brothers about his identity. Others do not view this as lying, nor being maliciously deceptive. So there are going to be differences of opinion on this subject, even from people who stand firmly on Scripture as the ultimate authority.

I think that you've made a very important point - the determining factor: Is there any malicious intent involved?

But was it her lying that proved her faith? Or did she lie because her faith was not yet full?
She was also a prostitute along with a liar. Her lying means nothing to us today as far as instructive faithful behavior goes.

All of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, were imperfect and we could very easily point to their flaws. But those flaws are not why they were faithful. They were flawed, but faithful human being in-spite of that.

Yes. Salvation is a process, and none of us are at the final point yet. But God's grace through Jesus His Chosen One is perfect.

[steve-in-kville]

This thread is to share thoughts on when we have crossed the line in our conversations to be guilty of lying.

A definition of lying -

1. to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
2. to create a false or misleading impression

A few areas to consider -

1. Are all exaggerations lies ?
2. Are some uses of hyperbole lies and some not ?
3. Are overstatements lies ?
4. Is an overemphasis lying ?

Here is a statement, is it true or not ? -

If you exaggerate with the intent of making it sound like the truth to benefit you, it's a lie.

Did Jesus use hyperbole ? ' Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.'' Luke 10:4

There is such a thing as literary exaggeration. We all do it. For example, if a storm is moving in and the sky gets really dark, one might say that the sky is getting really black to the northwest. Is the sky truly black? No, its just getting dark.

I'm told I make for a good storyteller, and yes, I've been known to embellish. But not in a way to deceive anyone, but to entertain. Once I make it big doing standup comedy, It'll all come out in the wash.

[Grace]

Did Jesus use hyperbole ? ' Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.'' Luke 10:4

Yes, Jesus used hyperbole.

Matthew 5:29 & 30
"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."

"And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and. cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee. that one of thy members should perish, and not. that thy whole body should be cast into hell".

Jesus was not saying we should literally yank our eyeballs out, or chop our hands off. He meant that we should make drastic changes in our lives concerning sin. Everyone knows that hands and eyes do not cause us to sin. Sin grows within our hearts and minds.