There's no such thing as a 'white lie' - Greg Laurie - http://www.wnd.com/2015/04/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-white-lie/
Pastor Greg Laurie lists several ways people participate in what God hates
God hates lying. The Bible says so: "There are six things the LORD hates - no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family" (Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT).
I think God hates lying because it is so destructive. In fact, God thinks so much of truth that he uses the very word to describe his character. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). On the other hand, the devil is described in the Bible as "the father of lies" (John 8:44).
We are also told in the Scriptures that it is impossible for God to lie (see Hebrews 6:18). It is not in his nature. So we saw that God cares a lot about truth.
Here is an interesting thing, however. We all may lie a little more than we think. A study was done in which people were asked why they lie. Ninety-eight percent said the reason they lied was to keep from offending someone else.
I can understand that to some degree. For example, perhaps you've been invited to someone's house for dinner, and it was the worst meal you've ever had. When the hostess asks how you liked dinner, you don't want to tell the truth. So you say, "I've never had a meal like that anywhere."
Or maybe someone sings something for you, and he obviously has no vocal skills whatsoever. When he wants to know what you think, you say, "Wow! You know, I've never heard anyone sing quite that way. That was one of the most fascinating performances I have ever heard."
We don't want to tell the truth for fear of offense. But it is a form of lying.
But then there are those so-called little white lies that we may tell. For instance, when someone calls your office and you don't want to take the call, you say, "Tell them I'm not in."
Someone asks you about something, and you say, "Oh, I forgot." But you didn't.
Or you say, "It is good to see you" when it isn't.
Those are lies. But I think the No. 1 way we lie is through gossip and backbiting. The book of Proverbs says, "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much" (Proverbs 20:19 NIV). There are some people to whom you will say, "Please don't share this with anyone right now," and it will be on CNN that night. We love a juicy tidbit of information. That is why Proverbs describes gossip as a "dainty morsel" (see Proverbs 18:8; 26:22 NLT). We love to dispense it, and unfortunately, we love to hear it far too often.
What is gossip? Basically, it is half a truth mixed with a lie, with some spin added. Gossip may contain some truth, which is why it works so well. But then it is mixed with a lie. This is really an issue on the Internet. Anyone can say anything about anyone anywhere, and it floats out there in cyberspace. People will spread it and pass it on to more people, and meanwhile, it may be completely untrue.
Here is a helpful acronym to remember before you repeat something: THINK. Is it truthful? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Think about it before you say it. If it doesn't pass that test, then don't say it.
Another way we lie is through flattery. This is one of the most subtle forms of deceit. One definition of flattery is saying things to a certain person's face that you would never say behind his or her back. Contrast that to backbiting. Backbiting is saying behind a person's back what you would never say to his or her face.
So flattery is when I see you and say, "You are so smart. ... You are so clever. ... You are so funny." We do that with people we want to impress. And that can be a form of lying.
Another way we lie is through exaggeration, by making something sound bigger or better than it is. It's very easy to do.
Another way we lie is by keeping silent. How could saying nothing be a lie? One example is when you hear something said about someone and know it isn't true, when you hear a so-called fact stated that you know isn't a fact at all. But you don't say a word because you know they believe it. You want to flatter them by agreeing with them. And it becomes slander by silence, complicity by passivity.
Lying and gossip can topple governments, wreck marriages, ruin careers and destroy reputations. It causes nightmares, spawns suspicions and generates grief. God hates lying. And so should we.
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