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follower wrote:Consider this postulate - there are three general classes that God uses to communicate with us. These are found in both the OT and NT.

1. He informs us before we're aware of the issue or when we first see the issue.
2. He informs us when we ask him. This can be right away, or in many cases it's after some period of time and something changes (the situation changes, or we finally change - consider Ps 73 for the latter).
3.

I left the third one blank because you might think it is "He doesn't inform us." That's in the right direction, but there's more to it than that, and that's the worthwhile thinking to do on the subject - you have to start considering the "why" for that. Consider how Jesus answered the questions about the future posed to him by the disciples - they weren't all answered the same - and also consider how the angel answered Daniel's question in chapter 12.

Job is also unique, as it is a blend of both 2 and 3.

follower wrote:

RZehr wrote:I was trying to point out if someone believes it is okay to lie sometimes, then they could be lying at anytime.

Which is why the reader or listener has the responsibility to verify, even if the author states he is telling the truth - something done every day in courtrooms.

RZehr wrote: When one becomes a Christian, or becomes Christlike, they are taking on a label that lets people know that their word does not need to be verified, because a Christian does not tell lies.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. - Ephesians 4:25

It seems like there is more said about not telling lies, than there are verses enjoining us to tell the truth.

Thoughts?

Hats Off wrote:

follower wrote:

RZehr wrote:I was trying to point out if someone believes it is okay to lie sometimes, then they could be lying at anytime.

Which is why the reader or listener has the responsibility to verify, even if the author states he is telling the truth - something done every day in courtrooms.

When someone like RZehr says something, I do not question him even though I have only met him on this forum; most of the time when an unbeliever says he will do something, I also take him at his word. I do not feel I need to question or verify everything that is said to me - there is a time and place for trust and I may be gullible but I believe until I see obvious reasons not to.

lesterb wrote: Constant suspicion does something to our personality that isn't good. I would agree with what you are saying here.

Valerie wrote:

lesterb wrote: Constant suspicion does something to our personality that isn't good. I would agree with what you are saying here.

This scares me as I've been highly suspicious of Christian leaders as of late- trying to be discerning, not suspicious- I hope I don't get the two confused, but praying for discernment always.

follower wrote:

Joy wrote:Follower, I don't understand what you mean by Samuel lying. Do you think he didn't sacrifice, or didn't come in peace, or what?

Well, all those things are true - but were those the underlying, actual reasons for Samuel's visit? Clearly not, because Samuel says Saul will kill him if he finds out Samuel will be crowning a new king. And God instructs Samuel to not give the underlying reason.

So it's clearly deceptive. And most people put this type of deception into the category of lying. Children use this method as do adults, and it's common enough that we find it in literature, in TV programming, in movies and in plays. In some cases it's the dominant theme of the story.