What if God meant something else when he said do not lie?

A man left on a journey ,took a hundred different paths, and quickly lost his way

If you look at the whole of Scripture,
"Do not bear false witness" does not forbid all forms of deception
any more than
"Do not murder" forbids all killing.
(Nor does "Do not steal" forbid all forms of confiscation.)

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus (incognito) "pulled their leg" when He said that He couldn't stay with them; that He had to continue on His journey. (He had intended to stay with them all along.)

Never lie, but do leave it vague enough to both satisfy a person's curiosity while not revealing too much. It requires effort and practice, but it is certainly worth it. Which is more likely going to land us in hot water, vagueness or an outright falsehood?

I personally much rather hear, "You didn't ask" than "So long, sucker!"

Truthspeaker72362 said:

When you let someone believe something that ain't true, you are indirectly telling that person its okay to believe something that isnt true.

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"Then [Solomon] said,
So they brought a sword before the king.
And the king said,
Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king,
for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said,
But the other said,
So the king answered and said,
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered;
and they feared the king,
for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice."
1 Kings 3:24-28 NKJV

Truthspeaker72362 said:

When you let someone believe something that ain't true, you are indirectly telling that person its okay to believe something that isnt true.

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That would be on them for simply assuming they completely understood already, instead of asking for clarification, more questions, and/or doing additional research to verify (Proverbs 16:16-25, 26:12).

Part of seeking truth is fact-checking, even if truth was spoken, just not the whole truth. There are two sides to every story. This is evident in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke: Each a different side of the story of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John is the odd duck of the Gospels, because it provides insight not found in the synoptic Gospels. All of it is truth, but each is a part of it, no matter the similarities or lack of thereof.

I recommend reading these following Bible passages: 1 John 4:1-6, 1 Peter 3:15-17, 1 Corinthians 14:33. Answer, but also ask questions to see if that person actually knows what s/he is talking about. When seeking truth, ALWAYS be prepared to be proven wrong. This is why the Bible requires at least two or three different witnesses, otherwise it is simply one man's word against another (2 Corinthians 13:1-10, Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:15-20).

Here are two videos that teach simple questions require simple answers, each from a Christian and worldly perspective.

Truthspeaker72362 said:

Your point is?

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Philosophy > the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.
Is this forum not Christian Philosophy & ethics
Your topic may be to you straight forward.
Maybe a hundred hours of study will get me a coin.

Truthspeaker72362 said:

Jesus never lied. Jesus may have said lying is to give false testimony, but that doesnt mean he didnt have his own definition of lie that was different than the modern definition of lie.

He may have pretended that he believed lie means what people say it means. Just to mislead people. I believe Jesus never lied by hie own definition of lie but he lied by mans definition of lie.

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God NEVER lies, but He does lead people on. How one responds to a situation, using the available knowledge at the time, shows true character. Here are two passages from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, both showing two sides of the same story. There are links to the full chapters for wider context. ALWAYS read, study, and KNOW Scripture, don't just simply memorize nor rely on specific preachers to do all the work for you. I made that mistake and I really suffered because of it.

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

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~Luke 22:35-38 (NIV)

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 22 - King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Luke 22 - New King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Luke 22 - New International Version
Bible Gateway passage: Luke 22 - International Children’s Bible

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

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~Matthew 26:47-54 (NIV)

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 26 - King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 26 - New King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 26 - New International Version
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 26 - International Children’s Bible

What do you make of these?

Another example is Abraham in Genesis chapters 21 and 22. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a test of loyalty. God did ask Abraham to do so, but didn't tell him what would happen if actually attempted. Once Abraham made the attempt, an angel of God stopped him and gave this reward: descendants as numerous as the stars.

God did NOT lie, He just didn't tell the full story to see how Abraham would react in faith. God had no intention of letting Isaac die, He simply told Abraham what to do, and Abraham attempted to do so with the knowledge he had at the time. Given the time and place Abraham lived in, this sort of pagan practice would have been considered 'normal' to him and the culture he grew up in. Elsewhere in the Bible, God is vehemently against human sacrifice, especially children. Abraham would have had no knowledge of this, being the father of the Jewish and Arab people afterwards.

Bible Gateway passage: Genesis 21-22 - King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Genesis 21-22 - New King James Version
Bible Gateway passage: Genesis 21-22 - New International Version
Bible Gateway passage: Genesis 21-22 - International Children’s Bible

As with the other example involving the Lord Jesus Christ, it was the same idea, just a different situation. Peter simply assumed they were going to fight, forgetting everything he was taught by the Son of God. It was a test of character, and Peter failed, showing he was not truly ready for his ministry yet.

We will all be tested, even repeatedly, until we pass and prove we are ready for what God is calling us to do. Another Bible passage I recommend reading is Luke 16:1-15, it is one of my favourites. Basically, be harmless as a dove, and wise as a serpent (Matthew 10:16). Do no harm to others, but have enough street smarts to navigate through life, knowing not everyone will think like you.

Truthspeaker72362 said:

I believe Jesus never lied by his own definition of lie but he lied by mans definition of lie.

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Both of my previous examples (Jesus & Solomon) can be considered "bluffs."