Why Do You Lie?

[jimmyjimmy]

Firstly, If you think that you never lie, thanks for looking. This thread is not for you.

For the rest of us liars, I'm asking that we are intellectually honest with ourselves and get to the bottom of why we lie.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do not tell lies very ofter, but if there were such thing as a truth meter, would all of my words on any give day register 100% truth? Sadly, no.

I'm interested in the kinds of lies that just seem to come out in conversation, not completely premeditated lies. The ones that shock us when they seem to slip from our tongues.

 

[brinny]

Firstly, If you think that you never lie, thanks for looking. This thread is not for you.

For the rest of us liars, I'm asking that we are intellectually honest with ourselves and get to the bottom of why we lie.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do not tell lies very ofter, but if there were such thing as a truth meter, would all of my words on any give day register 100% truth?

LOL! Well i gotta admit....of COURSE i have lied. LOTS. It was easy and it would happen when i was between a rock n' a hard place, mostly.

That was THEN. This is NOW.

I don't lie now, but i can understand why one might lie in certain circumstances. I don't usually freak out about it.

 

[Mrs. M. Ray]

You're asking a very good question. I think that even when we make a good effort not to lie, we can deceive ourselves at times, and not even be aware that we are lying, especially when we just "stretch the truth," or exaggerate.

It is a good idea, as was mentioned in OP, to get to the bottom of why we lie, or exaggerate.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I've lied to m

You're asking a very good question. I think that even when we make a good effort not to lie, we can deceive ourselves at times, and not even be aware that we are lying, especially when we just "stretch the truth," or exaggerate.

It is a good idea, as was mentioned in OP, to get to the bottom of why we lie, or exaggerate.

Yes. Now you are onto what the spirit of the OP is all about.

 

[brinny]

Hmmm.....

it perhaps is a lack of trust of God, bottom line...

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I hate lying. It's a sin which I find very difficult to forgive. I values honestly; however, I lie. I never intend to (almost never) yet I do.

Spontaneous lies are the issue here, and just so we are clear, this isn't a frequent problem for me. If I were to compare myself with most people, I would likely rank in the excellent category for truth-telling, but since I find lying so distasteful, I have zero tolerance for it. In others or myself.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Hmmm.....

it perhaps is a lack of trust of God, bottom line...

That's one reason.

If I don't think God will provide employment for me, I might lie on a job application, for instance.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I define lying also as deception which includes omission. (just avoiding that part of the conversation, not being open)
To protect others (hardly ever)
To protect myself (often)- reputation is survival. I don't want to be the number 1 gossip item for my family, friends or neighbour hood.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I define lying also as deception which includes omission. (just avoiding that part of the conversation, not being open)
To protect others (hardly ever)
To protect myself (often)- reputation is survival. I don't want to be the number 1 gossip item for my family, friends or neighbour hood.

Thanks for raising the bar, and I agree. Now we are all in the boat together. Are we not?

 

[brinny]

That's one reason.

If I don't think God will provide employment for me, I might lie on a job application, for instance.

Good point.

Rahab comes to mind.

She lied, didn't she?

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I've told spontaneous lies, which I hardly could believe came from my mouth, in order to impress people.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

That's one reason.

If I don't think God will provide employment for me, I might lie on a job application, for instance.

How despicable!
The truth is distorted anyway in 99% of resumes.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I've told spontaneous lies, which I hardly could believe came from my mouth, in order to impress people.

I don't think its a big deal, to be honest. God is not so legalistic or petty minded to lose sleep over that. (does God sleep btw ?)

 

[brinny]

I've told spontaneous lies, which I hardly could believe came from my mouth, in order to impress people.

LOL! To be honest, who hasn't?

 

[jimmyjimmy]

LOL! To be honest, who hasn't?

Why did I if I didn't intend to, and if I was surprised at myself for doing so? That's the question.

 

[brinny]

I hate lying. It's a sin which I find very difficult to forgive. I values honestly; however, I lie. I never intend to (almost never) yet I do.

Spontaneous lies are the issue here, and just so we are clear, this isn't a frequent problem for me. If I were to compare myself with most people, I would likely rank in the excellent category for truth-telling, but since I find lying so distasteful, I have zero tolerance for it. In others or myself.

Do you despise lying more than other sins?

 

[brinny]

Why did I if I didn't intend to, and if I was surprised at myself for doing so? That's the question.

Because it comes so naturally.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Do you despise lying more than other sins?

I do.

I've written off friends I caught lying to me.

 

[brinny]

This comes to mind......

why is it a sin to lie?

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Everyone lies whether they like it or not. Some are habitual liars, some are just tiny liars that don't do it often.

Problem is what is a lie really? We will use the age old question of what do you say when your wife asks you "Do I look fat in this?". I rarely find anyone who says they are honest about it. In my case I try to be more honest about that question, though my wife really isn't fat at all, just a small tummy. Really this is technically a "white lie". To answer someone with a polite answer as to not upset them. Probably put santa on this list as many christians still choose to put the idea of santa in their childs mind, then when the kids older they then have to lie and tell them santa didn't exist. Have fun explaining why you taught them not to lie and just broke your rule.

So lying is a complex issue. Me? I do lie. To say otherwise....well is a lie. Most of the time my lies are white lies. I don't often do hurtful mean lies. Its something I'd like not to do in general (any lying) but trying to not even white lie is like trying to avoid other humans. Its very hard to avoid them. Not that I want to avoid them.... maybe.