Lying

[Nash]

Hi folks.

Why is lying wrong?

Nash

[Sketch]

Why is lying wrong?[/b]

because its being deceitful and unloving with no positive outcome.

[whoowh]

Darby Pro 6:16 These six things doth Jehovah hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;
Pro 6:18 a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; feet that are swift in running to mischief;
Pro 6:19 a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discords among brethren.

LIE

The opposite of truth. Lying generally involves saying something false to a person who is entitled to know the truth and doing so with the intent to deceive or to injure him or another person.

:Love: Whoowh

[DoubtingThomas]

Satan is the father of the lie. I wouldn't want to be recognized as related to Satan in ANY way.

[Nash]

Darby Pro 6:16 These six things doth Jehovah hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;
Pro 6:18 a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; feet that are swift in running to mischief;
Pro 6:19 a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discords among brethren.

LIE

The opposite of truth. Lying generally involves saying something false to a person who is entitled to know the truth and doing so with the intent to deceive or to injure him or another person.

:Love: Whoowh[/b]

What you are giving as the definition of lying is the definition given in the Insight volume. Sadly, this is not really the definition of a lie. A lie is the opposite of truth - and that's it.

Merriam-Webster defines the word 'lie' in this way: "to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive."

Notice that the phrase "entitled to know the truth" is not really in the definition of the word.

Back to the question at hand. Although we know that Jehovah hates lying and Satan is the father of the lie, we haven't really covered why it is actually wrong. Sketch has started off with the basics - let's try to find out the moral implications of lying and why it is bad for society as a whole.

Nash

[Jeshurun]

All it leads to is hurt, misery, disappointment, worthlessness, and destroys everything that is upbuilding and rewarding.

It is the root of all evil.

We want to imitate our God, who gave us his free will, so that we could strive to be like Him. A goal we can never reach, but so rewarding to try. Love is the essence of our souls, and lies destroy love, because love is built upon trust, the opposite of betrayal.

[olrono]

Hi folks.

Why is lying wrong?

Nash[/b]
You have me wondering why you would ask such a basic question? remember you asked, "why is it wrong", not what it is. It is wrong because Jehovah says so.

[Nambo]

Hi Nash, I used to mull over this even as a kid as my Mother would lie to me.

I came to the conclusion that lying invalidates the gift of communication that Jehovah gave man in that, once somebody lies to you, how can you trust anything that comes out of thier mouth again?, it all just becomes useless noises and puts as on the same level as the animals.

It also harms trust and the bond that humans should have for one another.

[eyes&ears]

Hi Nash :wave:

LIE (ACCORDING TO MR. WEBSTER)

To make a statement that one knows is FALSE, with intent to DECEIVE

Anything that is meant to give a FALSE impression

To confuse the issue in order to EVADE the TRUTH


WE ALL KNOW HOW JEHOVAH FEELS ABOUT LYING HE TELLS US PLAINLY IN HIS WORD.

Ps 5:6

You will destroy those speaking a lie. A man of bloodshed and deception Jehovah detests.

Ps 34:13

Safeguard your tongue against what is bad and your lips against speaking deception

Lev 19:11,12

You people must not steal, and you must not swear in my name to a lie, so that you do profane the name of your God. I AM JEHOVAH

Jn 8:44

YOU ARE FROM YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND YOU WISH TO DO THE DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER. THAT ONE WAS A MANSLAYER WHEN HE BEGAN, AND HE DID NOT STAND FAST IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM. WHEN HE SPEAKS THE LIE, HE SPEAKS ACCORDING TO HIS OWN DISPOSITION, BECAUSE HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF THE LIE.


Heb 6:18 Impossible for God to lie


When we even open our mouths to form those lying words (and I know we all have at one time or another hmmmm) we feel ilkly all over, so we know it is wrong. We do not feel good either. It is that little voice of conscience messing with us hmmmmm.

Lying also is selfish because you don't want others to see what you really are. Some folks say it is a protection for the victims of the lie. hmmmmmmmmmm

Lying hurts, and causes the victim(s) confusion, pain and emotional and mental trauma in some cases because it may cause them not to be able to trust again or trust for a long time.

Lying is not truth and Jehovah deals only in truth. So should we.

Lying is also manipulation, I dislike it very much when someone tries to play around with my mind. I really dislike that. Lying is also used to control others. I do not like that either.

So imo lying is wrong because it hurts, deceives, brings pain and causes only trouble for those affected by the lie, it does nothing to bring honor and glory to Jehovah, and it lines us up with Jehovah's enemy SATAN THE FATHER OF THE LIE, I DON'T WANT SATAN TO BE MY DAD.

My two cents worth anyways.

Now be kind to me Nash if this is not the response you had in mind OKEY DOKEY (laughing) I am of average intelligence ya know. HOLD ON TIGHT DON'T LET GO.



Your sis

E & E



Hey Molly I think you hit it right on. I enjoyed your response.

[Molly]

Good Morning Nash-

The first lie came from Satan, who stated to Eve: "You positively will not die. For God knows that in the very day of you eating from it you eyes will be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad."

This lie not only contradicted Jehovah, it meant that Satan called Jehovah a liar. It started this whole spiral down into the corrupt and degenerate state of affairs that we all now have to endure. By believing this lie and eating the fruit Eve, and later Adam, made in effect a choice to have Satan as their ruler rather than Jehovah and therefore were kicked out of their beautiful home to fend for themselves.

Considering the consequences of their choice, it demonstrates to me that it is a pretty good reason not to lie. By believing the lie both Adam and Eve accepted Satan's argument that Jehovah was a liar.

Molly

[Criterion]

Good morning friends,

I certainly don't want to give the impression in what follows that lying is not wrong: I believe it is wrong. Even some of the Bible patriarchs lied or deceived others at times in their lives. In these instances recorded for us in the scriptures, the lie was to avoid harm, danger, or to acquire something. In other words, for selfish reasons.

But for the sake of discussion,*here*is*a*scenario*that*I'd*like*to*ge t*your*thoughts*on.

You're driving down the highway and suddenly you're witness to a car accident. The vehicle veers off the expressway and rolls over before coming to a stop. You're actually one of the people who stops to see what can be done, along with some other people. You rush over the vehicle and inside you find a mother, injured and bleeding and in bad shape. She's crying "My baby! My baby!" and you look into the backseat and see the baby's safety seat, and it's clear immediately that the baby's died in the accident. You tell the distraught mother to hold on, that help is on the way. You're trying to comfort her, but she can only think about her baby. "Is my baby okay? My baby! Is he okay? He's alive, right?!"

What would you tell her? That no, her baby is dead, because you don't want to lie to her? Do you not say anything, and she realizes from your silence that her child is now dead, perhaps even blame herself for its death in the accident, and give up on life out of hopelessness? Do you tell her that the baby's fine, to give her that bit of comfort that will give her that reserve of resolve to live and hold on until the rescue team arrives, hoping that once she's been cared for, she will be better able to face the death of her child?

This is not to justify lying, but I would hope, too, that it is immediately obvious that this is not a situation where a lie is for selfish gain (or perhaps it is, because we want to see the mother live). What role does morality and love come into this moment? What is the loving thing to say to this mother? Of course, there are a myriad of other scenarios that could be examined, each with its own starkness. Maybe some of us have had to face a similar situation when it came to lying for the sake of the other person. In other words, not so that we could get something out of it that we wouldn't otherwise be entitled, or out of malice, but to protect someone.

Again, this is not to try to present lying as okay, but in our imperfect state in an imperfect world faced with sometimes perilous situations, things are not always black-and-white, and we pray fervently to Jehovah for forgiveness because of it, and cast ourselves upon his mercy because of those times when the choice we make is the one we thought best, given the circumstances, and we draw comfort from the fact that we know our Judge can read our hearts and pardon us in our imperfection.

<div align="right">Criterion
</div>

[Molly]

Good morning friends,

I certainly don&#39;t want to give the impression in what follows that lying is not wrong: I believe it is wrong. Even some of the Bible patriarchs lied or deceived others at times in their lives. In these instances recorded for us in the scriptures, the lie was to avoid harm, danger, or to acquire something. In other words, for selfish reasons.

But for the sake of discussion, here is a scenario that I&#39;d like to get your thoughts on.

You&#39;re driving down the highway and suddenly you&#39;re witness to a car accident. The vehicle veers off the expressway and rolls over before coming to a stop. You&#39;re actually one of the people who stops to see what can be done, along with some other people. You rush over the vehicle and inside you find a mother, injured and bleeding and in bad shape. She&#39;s crying "My baby! My baby!" and you look into the backseat and see the baby&#39;s safety seat, and it&#39;s clear immediately that the baby&#39;s died in the accident. You tell the distraught mother to hold on, that help is on the way. You&#39;re trying to comfort her, but she can only think about her baby. "Is my baby okay? My baby! Is he okay? He&#39;s alive, right?!"

What would you tell her? That no, her baby is dead, because you don&#39;t want to lie to her? Do you not say anything, and she realizes from your silence that her child is now dead, perhaps even blame herself for its death in the accident, and give up on life out of hopelessness? Do you tell her that the baby&#39;s fine, to give her that bit of comfort that will give her that reserve of resolve to live and hold on until the rescue team arrives, hoping that once she&#39;s been cared for, she will be better able to face the death of her child?

This is not to justify lying, but I would hope, too, that it is immediately obvious that this is not a situation where a lie is for selfish gain (or perhaps it is, because we want to see the mother live). What role does morality and love come into this moment? What is the loving thing to say to this mother? Of course, there are a myriad of other scenarios that could be examined, each with its own starkness. Maybe some of us have had to face a similar situation when it came to lying for the sake of the other person. In other words, not so that we could get something out of it that we wouldn&#39;t otherwise be entitled, or out of malice, but to protect someone.

Again, this is not to try to present lying as okay, but in our imperfect state in an imperfect world faced with sometimes perilous situations, things are not always black-and-white, and we pray fervently to Jehovah for forgiveness because of it, and cast ourselves upon his mercy because of those times when the choice we make is the one we thought best, given the circumstances, and we draw comfort from the fact that we know our Judge can read our hearts and pardon us in our imperfection.

<div align="right">Criterion
[/b][/quote]

Consider Jairus&#39; daughter. When Jesus came to the house they said not to bother Jesus because the child had died. Jesus said the girl wasn&#39;t dead, just sleeping even though the child really was dead. Of course, he knew that he was going to bring her back to life. But, nevertheless, when he said these words the child was dead.

Consider Lazurus. He was dead but Jesus said he was resting. He gave the disciples the wrong impression. He was doing this to make a point about the ability to raise the dead, but still, Lazurus was not resting, he was dead.

Were these lies since he had a positive and instructive motive for saying those things? Just some food for thought.

Molly

[Berean]

There is more than one way to tell the truth. What Jesus did was telling the truth in a different way - Lazarus really was resting, since death is actually just a sleep; the disciples just didn&#39;t understand that.

As for why lying is wrong, here&#39;s my take on it. The thing that is so terrible about lying, is that there is no defence possible against it. If someone who is a liar is believed, while someone telling the truth about the same situation is not believed, this is absolutely devastating for the latter person. You&#39;ll want to cry it from the rooftops, but there&#39;s nobody who will believe you - you&#39;re a total victim to someone else&#39;s tongue. Because our tongue is so powerful, and can bring about greater devastation than any of our other organs (James 3:5, 6), Jehovah hates lying more than anything.

[eyes&ears]

Hi out there,


I believe also, there are times when we do not need to VOLUNTEER information. This is NOT LYING (IMO). This is SPIRITUAL COMMON SENSE
THE WORLDLY SAYING "NEED TO KNOW"

Example: During times of persecution or a llike crisis that would jeopardize the safety of our loved ones families (fleshly/spiritual).

A sound mind should also be used in the example that Criterion gave us always using Jehovah&#39;s word to direct us. Also any like examples when a situation would cause more harm than good.

Personally, I would first pray to Jehovah, count the cost and weigh the timing if possible, of what I am about to say. Sometimes we have just a split second to act and the lives of others may be involved.

E & E

[juffowup]

Here&#39;s my go, Nash.

As humans, we make decisions based on information. To make beneficial decisions, we need accurate information. Deception, no matter if it is directed at one&#39;s self or fellow man, denies information. Since we are denying information, we are in effect, manipulating the decisions ourselves and others make. Manipulation means having control and power over another. We do not have authority over our fellow man, only Jehovah has this power, and it is his to delegate, not ours.

Lying is an usurping of Jehovah&#39;s power and authority. Therefore, lying is wrong. How&#39;s that?

Lying can be justified though. If one is not entitled to the truth, or would use the truth in an effort to harm another, misinformation may be justified, although silence is always the best option. Ulimately, the person all justification has to be made to is Jehovah. Remembering that before electing to lie is a wise thing to do.

[Nash]

<div class='quotemain'>Hi folks.

Why is lying wrong?

Nash[/b]
You have me wondering why you would ask such a basic question? remember you asked, "why is it wrong", not what it is. It is wrong because Jehovah says so.
[/b][/quote]

Yes I agree that it is wrong because Jehovah says it is wrong. However, Jehovah doesn&#39;t make something wrong for nothing or just to &#39;make&#39; something wrong so that people can obey him. Jehovah says that a certain action is wrong because it will do harm in some way.

What I am asking is what that harm is from the members of the board. So far, the discussion is great.

Nash

[olrono]

Maybe this can help the discussion along?</span>

[Nash]

Maybe this can help the discussion along?</span>[/b]

Hi again Olrono,

Perhaps I was unclear in my original question. I am trying to get different viewpoints on the effects of lying to our neighbours and to society as a whole.

See, the way I see it, one of the main reasons why lying is rampant in the world is the fact that its effects are not as &#39;clear,&#39; so to speak, as other wrongs (at least in my view).

For example, we know stealing is wrong. It is wrong because one is depriving someone else of private property, and as a result the original use of the stolen object cannot be fulfilled, creating a further loss/further losses for the holder of the stolen object(s) and its beneficiaries. Stealing a car, for example, creates further losses with respect to time, money, and effort for those who benefited from the car. Because the car was stolen, it becomes another stastistic for insurance companies, and insurance rates go up, creating further issues for society as a whole.

Gluttony is wrong because gluttony can end up creating some serious physical problems with our bodies. In many cases, people around the individual with such a problem may have to exert themselves in helping this individual. However, such a problem puts strains on the health care system.

Fornication is wrong because it causes severe emotional pain in many cases. In addition, premarital sex often creates a problem in a future marriage because of &#39;flashbacks&#39; as well as other issues.

Etc.

With respect to lying, it seems to me that this sin is more &#39;excusable&#39; because the effects of lying are not so clear in contrast to the definite consequences with the sins noted above.

This is not to say that there are no effects of lying. What I am trying to do is to get multiple viewpoints on what everyone feels the effects of lying are. There have been some really great answers so far.

Nash

[olrono]

In my view when the serpent lied to Eve this is what derailed Jehovah’s Plans. All of the death and suffering of the ages came from this one act. This is the most diabolical act of all time, and Satan was called the Father of the Lie. All so Satan said he would ascend to the most high and become as Jehovah, another lie that is the most blasphemous lie. Without a doubt lying is a very serious sin to Jehovah.

[Nash]

In my view when the serpent lied to Eve this is what derailed Jehovah&#39;s Plans. All of the death and suffering of the ages came from this one act. This is the most diabolical act of all time, and Satan was called the Father of the Lie. Also Satan said he would ascend to the most high and become as Jehovah, another lie that is the most blasphemous lie. Without a doubt lying is a very serious sin to Jehovah.[/b]

You are absolutely right. No doubt Jehovah views it as quite serious. Overall, nothing good comes out of lying, even if lying is done with &#39;good&#39; intentions.

Nash

[Steadfast]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I always liked these verses as they show the standards for the 144,000 who will rule as kings and priests when they are finally sealed:

Revelation 14:3-5 - And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth.

These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women, in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.&#39;

Love, :Love:

Steadfast

[Nash]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I always liked these verses as they show the standards for the 144,000 who will rule as kings and priests when they are finally sealed:

Revelation 14:3-5 - And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth.

These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women, in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.&#39;

Love, :Love:

Steadfast[/b]

Very interesting point, Steadfast.

Nash

[Nash]

Thanks, folks, for contributing to this thread. I appreciated all of the answers and all of the points of view.

Nash

[olrono]

I hope it isn’t too late to bring up an account from the Hebrew Scriptures I can vaguely remember two women that lied to protect someone and I haven’t yet the chance to look it up, I think I can relate it but I don’t want to get it wrong. I am sure someone here remembers this? If not I’ll come back tomorrow and give it to you. I am still wondering what inspired Nash to start this tread, not that it isn’t a good one, isn’t this my nature, those that are getting to know me around here???

[Nash]

I am still wondering what inspired Nash to start this thread, not that it isn&#39;t a good one, isn&#39;t this my nature, those that are getting to know me around here??? [/b]

Hi Olrono,

One of the reasons is that I simply just wanted people&#39;s viewpoints on why lying is wrong. I have been very unfortunate to have been one who has been lied to many times - after a while, it just becomes plain upsetting, especially when it comes from brothers and sisters in the congregation.

It is very comforting to know that there are still individuals that display decency and good morals in this area, even though it would seem that such individuals are a dying breed.

Nash

[eyes&ears]

OLRONO SAYS: " I am still wondering what inspired Nash to start this thread, not that it isn&#39;t a good one, isn&#39;t this my nature, those that are getting to know me around here???"




Yes OLRONO and we still love you anyways :icon_rolleyes: :186: :203: just like we know you care deeply for all of us isn&#39;t that right now OLRONO hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.



E & E

[Elihu]

Hi Nash
why is lying wrong?

look at the world today it is the result of the first liars lie
we have atrocities, injustices, slavery, illness physical and mental,
wars and famines.
and many more side effects from lying.

in fact this is part of the reason that jehovah has allowed us to rule ourselves so that we can see what a mess we make of it because the heart of man is indeed treacherous.

perhaps we should now ask why is not lying good for us?

just my thoughts
Elihu

[Watchful Soul]

<div class='quotemain'>You may be referring to Rahab the harlot who lied to protect the Israelite spies. As I recall she is used as an example of a faithful witness whose example we would do well to follow. This to me answers the question of whether or not knowingly telling an untruth (lie) is always wrong. Most times lying is a sin but in some circumstances it isn’t. I suppose the important thing is to realize that our motives come from our hearts and are always known by Jehovah.

[Nash]

Perhaps we should now ask why is not lying good for us?

just my thoughts
Elihu[/b]

Excellent question.

Nash

[Jinnvisible]

[b]So this is even happening before other people are drawn in to deceptions as victims or perpitraitors, before it becomes a highly complex and entertaining soap opera with sub-plots and side shows.</span></div>
</span>

[Nash]

Good point here Jinnvisible. Many people do lie because they wish to evade responsibility or accountability. I am glad that you brought this out.

What this tells us is that adults who lie are not really adults. Such adults are, in reality, children living in the body of an adult. Therefore, sadly, the majority of people in our society are immature children who have never learned the value of accepting responsibility or accountability - and this is why our world is in such a mess.

Think about it - children often think that they can do as they please and then, if their &#39;hand is caught in the cookie jar&#39; they can make excuses and/or lie.

So why do adults who should know better act the same way?

It boggles my mind.

Nash

[Steadfast]

Dear Brother Nash,

You said: &#39;Think about it - children often think that they can do as they please and then, if their &#39;hand is caught in the cookie jar&#39; they can make excuses and/or lie. So why do adults who should know better act the same way?&#39;

2 Timothy 3:1-2 - But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves....&#39;

Love, :Love:

Steadfast

[James]

Hello All,

Here is a reprint of the first article from the February 1, 2007 Watchtower for those that don&#39;t get the current issues.
I&#39;ll put part two in a separate post.


TRUTHFULNESS
Expected Only of Others?

" I HATE lies, and I hate being lied to!" exclaimed a 16-year-old girl. Most of us
feel the same way. We like to think that information given to us-whether by word of mouth or in written form-is truthful. But do we tell the truth when we pass information on to others?
In a survey carried out in Germany, the vast majority of the respondents felt that "lying on minor issues in order to protect oneself or to protect others from harm is permissible, yes, even necessary so that people get along with one an¬other." And one journalist wrote: "To tell the truth and only the truth at all times is a noble ideal but boring."
Could it be that we prefer that other people speak the truth yet feel that we at times have good reason not to speak the truth ourselves? Does it matter whether we tell the truth or not? What are the consequences of speaking what is
not true?

Damage Done by Untruth

Consider the damage that untruth can do. Falsehood breeds dis¬trust between marriage mates and among family members. Un¬founded gossip can damage a person&#39;s reputation. Cheating by
employees raises operating costs and results in more expensive
products. False claims on tax returns rob governments
of needed revenues to provide public services. Fabri
cations by researchers ruin promising careers and
tarnish the reputation of respected institutions. Dishonest get-rich-quick schemes divest gullible inves¬tors of their life savings or worse. No wonder the Bible tells us that among the things that are detestable to Je¬hovah God are "a false tongue" and "a false witness that launches forth lies"! -Proverbs 6:16-19.
Widespread lying can cause damage both to individuals and to society as a whole. Few would dispute that fact. Why, then, do people deliberately tell what is untrue? And is every untruth a lie? We will consider the answers to these and other questions in the next article.

James

[James]

Here is part two.....

AT 18 years of age, Manfred was an office trainee.* "The company he worked for ar*ranged for him and several other trainees to attend a vocational college two days each week. One day the class was dismissed earli*er than scheduled. According to company rules, the trainees were to go back to work for the rest of the day. Instead, they all went off to have a good time, except Manfred, who re*turned to the workplace. By coincidence, the company executive in charge of the trainees came by. When he saw Manfred, he asked: "Why are you not in class today? And where are the other trainees?" How should Manfred respond?
Manfred&#39;s predicament is typical. Should he tell the truth, or should he cover up for his classmates? To give a truthful answer would mean trouble for the others and make him unpopular. Is it all right to tell a lie under those circumstances? What would you have done? We will return to Manfred later, but let us first consider what is involved when we are called upon to decide whether to speak the truth or not.

<div align="center">Truth and Untruth
-A Fundamental Rivalry
</div>
At the start of mankind&#39;s history, every*thing was based on truth. There was no twist*ing of facts, no manipulation or misrepre*sentation of the truth. Jehovah, the Creator, is "the God of truth." His word is truth; he cannot lie, and he condemns lying and liars. -Psalm 31:5; John 17:17; Titus 1:2.
* Not his real name.

That being the case, how did untruth come to be? Jesus Christ provided the au*thoritative answer when he told his religious opposers, who were seeking to kill him: "You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks ac*cording to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie." (John 8:44) Jesus, of course, was referring to the event in
the garden of Eden when Satan induced the first human pair to disobey God and thus fall victim to sin and death.-Genesis 3:1-5; Ro*mans 5:12.
Jesus&#39; words clearly identify Satan as "the father of the lie," the originator of lying and untruth. Satan continues to be the chief pro*ponent of untruth and, in fact, is "mislead*ing the entire inhabited earth." He bears a heavy responsibility for the damage that widespread lying has done to humans today. -Revelation 12:9.
The fundamental rivalry between truth and untruth, started by Satan the Devil, still rages today. It permeates all levels of human society and affects every individual. The way a person lives puts him on one side of the is*sue or the other. Those on God&#39;s side base their life course on the truth of God&#39;s Word, the Bible. Anyone who does not follow the way of the truth falls, knowingly or unknow*ingly, into the hands of Satan because "the whole world is lying in the power of the wick*ed one."-1 John 5:19; Matthew 7:13, 14.

<div align="center">Why the Tendency to Lie?
</div>
The fact that "the whole world" lies in the power of Satan tells us why many people lie. But we might ask, `Why did Satan, "the fa*ther of the lie," do so?&#39; Satan knew that Jeho*vah is the rightful Sovereign of all that He has created, including the first human pair. Yet, Satan desired for himself this lofty and unique position, something to which he was not entitled. Out of greed and selfish ambi*tion, he schemed to usurp Jehovah&#39;s place. To achieve this, Satan resorted to lies and de*ceit-1 Timothy 3:6.
What about today? Do you not agree that greed and selfish ambition are still very much the motives that impel many people to lie? Greedy business, corrupt politics, and false religion are rife with deception, false*hood, manipulation, and fraud. Why? Is it
not because people are often motivated by greed and ambition to get ahead or to reach out for wealth, power, or position to which they are not entitled? A wise ruler, King Solo*mon of ancient Israel, warned: "He that is hastening to gain riches will not remain in*nocent." (Proverbs 28:20) And the apostle Paul wrote: "The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things." (1 Timothy 6:10) The same could surely be said of the inordi*nate desire for power or position.


<div align="center">Greed and selfish ambition
are the motives that impel
many people to lie
</div>Another factor behind lying is fear-fear of the consequences or of what others may think if the truth is told. It is only natural that people wish to be liked or accepted by others. This desire, however, can move them to distort the truth, even if only a little, in or*der to cover up shortcomings, to hide unflat*tering details, or simply to leave a good impression. Appropriately, Solomon wrote: "Trembling at men is what lays a snare, but he that is trusting in Jehovah will be protect*ed."-Proverbs 29:25.
Loyalty to the God of Truth
What did Manfred say when the company executive asked him for an explanation? Manfred told the truth. He said: "The teacher dismissed us early for the day, so I came to work. As for the others, I cannot speak for them. Perhaps you could ask them personal*
ly.,,
Manfred could have given a clever, mis*leading answer, thus making himself pop*ular with the other trainees. But he had good reasons for sticking loyally to the truth. Manfred is one of Jehovah&#39;s Witnesses. His honesty preserved his clean conscience. It also won him the trust of his employer. As part of his training, Manfred was assigned to the jewelry department, where trainees were not normally allowed to work. Some 15 years later when Manfred was promoted to a posi*tion of responsibility in the company, the same executive phoned to congratulate him and to recount this incident of integrity to the truth.
Since Jehovah is the God of truth, anyone wishing to have a close relationship with him must "put away falsehood" and "speak truth." A servant of God ought to love truth. "A faithful witness is one that will not lie," wrote the wise man. What, though, is a lie? -Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 14:5.

<div align="center">What Is a Lie?
</div>
Every lie is an untruth, but not every un*truth is a lie. Why not? A dictionary defines a lie as "an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive." Yes, lying includes the intention to deceive someone. Hence, to speak an untruth unwittingly-such as giv*ing someone incorrect facts or figures by mistake-is not the same as to tell a lie.


<div align="center">Every lie is an untruth,
but not every untruth
is a lie
</div>Moreover, we need to consider whether the person asking for information is entitled to a comprehensive answer. For instance, suppose Manfred had been asked the same questions by an executive of another compa*ny. Would Manfred have been obliged to tell him everything? Not really. Since that exec*utive had no right to such information, Manfred would have had no obligation to provide it. Of course, even in this case, it would have been wrong for him to tell a lie.
What example did Jesus Christ set in this regard? On one occasion, Jesus was convers*ing with some unbelievers who showed in*terest in his travel plans. "Pass on over from here and go into Judea," they advised him. What was Jesus&#39; reply? "You go up to the fes*tival ; I am not yet going up to this festival, because my due time has not yet fully come." Shortly thereafter, Jesus did trav*el to Jerusalem for the festival. Why did he answer that way? They were not entitled to know the exact details of his whereabouts. So while Jesus did not utter an untruth, he gave them an incomplete answer in order to limit the possible harm they could do to him or to his followers. This was not a lie, for the apos*tle Peter wrote about Christ: "He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth."-John 7:1-13; 1 Peter 2:22.
What about Peter himself? On the night of Jesus&#39; arrest, did not Peter lie three times and deny knowing Jesus? Yes, Peter caved in to fear of man and lied. But he immediately
"wept bitterly" and repented, and his sin was forgiven. Moreover, he learned from his mis*take. Some days later, he spoke in public about Jesus and resolutely refused to stop when threatened by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. Surely Peter&#39;s temporary setback and quick recovery should be an encourage*ment to all of us, who can easily be over*whelmed in a moment of weakness and stumble in word or deed.-Matthew 26:69*75; Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-32; James 3:2.

<div align="center">Truth Will Be Established Forever
</div>
"It is the lip of truth that will be firmly es*tablished forever, but the tongue of false*hood will be only as long as a moment," ex*plains Proverbs 12:19. Yes, truthful speech is marked by durability and permanence. And human relationships are more stable and sat*isfying when people are committed to speak*
ing the truth and acting in harmony with it. Indeed, truthfulness brings immediate re*wards. These include a clean conscience, a good reputation, and strong relationships in marriage, in the family, among friends, and even in business.
Lies, on the other hand, cannot stand the test of time. A tongue that utters falsehood may deceive for a while, but untruth does not prevail in the long term. Furthermore, Jehovah, the God of truth, has set a time lim*it for the toleration of untruth and of those who promote lies. The Bible promises that Je*hovah will wipe out the influence of Satan the Devil, the father of the lie, who is mis*leading the entire inhabited earth. Jehovah will soon put an end to all lies and liars.-Rev*elation 21:8.
[i]What a relief it will be when at last "the lip of truth" will be firmly established forever!

James

[Nash]

Thanks Steadfast for that scripture.

Thanks too James for the article. I don&#39;t receive the issues; many thanks for posting it.

Nash

[dgibson]

Ever since the first lie has been told, a building of complications because of it has been gaining strength, blurring the lines between right and wrong.

It has come to the point now, with the aid of the movie camera, smoke, mirrors, and stories told through the television and theaters, etc. that everyone is swiming in an ocean of lies around us. It is trying to swallow up our daily lives to worry, and frustration, trying to keep our conscience clean along with a clean relationship with our God Jehovah.

The WTBTS is a life raft of sorts to help keep us from sinking, but the seawater still keeps getting in our mouths, or bad things still keep coming out of our mouths. This is the way it will be, until we die or we are plucked out of this situation, healed, given a new language, and tongue in a new system of things. Then we will want to be 100% percent sure of what we say at all times, and we will have a clean perfectly working mind/body with everyone else around us, and our knowledge of past historical events to help keep us clean from lies.

Until then, we are really at a disadvantage, and Jehovah knows very well of our situation. He will take all things into consideration about why anyone would have told a lie, or lied by withholding the truth. He is love, and we must not forget that. He is watching out for everyone, but he is concentrating on filling the 144,000 number to be in heaven, while planning his stratiges for bring this system to an end, without mankind distroying the earth for his future plans. Satan is keeping him busy, busy, busy.

So, the bottom line is, don&#39;t sweat the small stuff to much, to the point where it consumes you into a depression.

Jehovah is always ready to forgive in a large way, just by you asking him to do so, in your daily prayers to him.

Love
Dgibson

[Nash]

Ever since the first lie has been told, a building of complications because of it has been gaining strength, blurring the lines between right and wrong.

It has come to the point now, with the aid of the movie camera, smoke, mirrors, and stories told through the television and theaters, etc. that everyone is swiming in an ocean of lies around us. It is trying to swallow up our daily lives to worry, and frustration, trying to keep our conscience clean along with a clean relationship with our God Jehovah.[/b]

Good points here, dgibson. The entertainment industry has been particularly notorious in distorting and clouding people&#39;s judgment on morals and right and wrong to the present condition whereby people are making excuses for just about everything.

Nash