According to Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap, values are “how we want to be, what we want to stand

for, and how

we want to relate to the world around us.” (Attributes)
Deceitful liars: those who lie to others about facts E.g. “How are you?”

Duplicitous liars: those who lie to others about their values E.G .Faithfulness

Delusional liars: those who lie to themselves about facts

E.g. Parents try to convince themselves that their children really aren’t badly behaved (Self
deceit. )

Demoralized liars: those who lie to themselves about their values

E.g. Failing to live with integrity is a way of disrespecting ourselves. E.g.. I am good, diligent, honest, or
trustworthy
 How to Deal with Lying?

Defining Lying

The Greek word used for lying here is pseudos. It means false, or that which
is other than the truth. We all have heard of a pseudonym, which means a
name other than your real one – or a false name. Pseudos – a lie.

A lie is simply when you don’t tell the truth- our definition?

E.g. Field trip

(Did I lie? Did I tell a half-truth? Did I tell a white-lie? Or was I fine?)
 First, God does not lie (1 Sam 15:29; 1 John 2:21), and does not
command anybody to lie.
[ Doubt? 1 Samuel 16, God commands Samuel to go and anoint David as

King when King Saul was still alive, Samuel says, “How can I go? If Saul
hears it, he will kill me” (1 Sam 16:2).The Lord responds, “Take a heifer
with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’’

Did God lie or command Samuel to lie?

 God knew what Samuel would be asked, which was,

"Do you come in peace?" (1 Sam. 16:4).

How did Samuel respond?

Samuel responded, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate
yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Thereafter he "consecrated Jesse and his
sons and invited them to the sacrifice" (1 Sam. 16:5).

Samuel told the truth. These were some of the reasons why he came.

Note: God progressively reveals more of Himself and His plan as history unfolds – but always – there is
untold truth – always He has not told the whole truth.
A deceitful lie is not even acceptable when it accomplishes some sort
of good – like the preservation of life. Some Christians during World
War II tried this sort of approach when they lied to soldiers in order
to protect the lives of Jews. A lie is a lie is a lie. The end does not
justify the means.

“The lie to preserve life [excuse] is a slippery slope which soon

permits lying [in order] to preserve my life as I want it … [I do not
believe that there is such a thing as] the well-intentioned lie.”
Case Study

But one little girl in Germany did the right thing and illustrates this well.

This German family during the Nazi Regime hid Jews in a secret compartment under a trap door, which was covered by a
throw rug, on top of which they put their dining room table.

One day, the family had gone out to do some shopping, and left only their young daughter at home. The soldiers came
knocking on the door, and when the little girl answered the door, they asked her if she was hiding any Jews in their
home. She said, “Yes, we are.”

So they asked her where the Jews were, and she said “Under the table.” So they tromped in, and lifted up the floor-
length table cloth – but there were no Jews to be seen! So they laughed at the little girl, thinking she was either mentally
ill or trying to be funny, and left.

Did she lie? No, she did not say anything that was incorrect. The Jews were hiding under the table. They were also under
the rug and under the trap door, but I do not think she lied, because she did not say anything that was untrue.
 Biblical definition of a lie is to speak falsely with the intent to deceive

(E.g.. Out of Ignorance?)

Case Study

If you ask me what time it is, and my watch battery has died, but I did not know it, and so I told you it was 11:00 when in
fact it was 12:00, that would not be a lie, because I was ignorant of the truth.
But if my watch is working fine, and I intentionally tell you it is 11:00 when in fact I know it is 12:00, that is a lie.

In other words, “we do not have to tell all the truth to everyone we meet. Privacy is a legitimate, necessary [and Biblical]
part of life. People do not have the right to know everything. We are required not to lie; we are not required to tell all we
know.”

Note: A lie is to speak falsely with the intent to deceive. To speak that which is not true, OR to not speak that which is
true FOR THE PURPOSE of deception.

But balance is needed, and every situation is different. Sometimes withholding truth can be deceitful, even though it is not
a lie, but that would have to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
 Don’t Lie (Ephesians 4:25)

Lying Causes Disunity

Lying is the Sin that Began it All (Genesis 3:2-3)

Lying Resulted in Physical Death (Story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5)

Lying is Associated with the Most Serious of Sins (Revelation 22:15)

Lying is Completely Contrary to God (Proverbs 6:17)

Liars are Often Self-Deceived (Eg. Lucifier falling)

Lying is So Easy to Do

Lying is Difficult to Maintain

 Do we tell ourselves?
 LIE #1 “I DON’T HAVE TIME.”

LIE #2 “I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME.”

LIE #3 “NO ONE WILL SEE ME”

LIE #4 “GOD UNDERSTANDS THAT’S THE WAY I AM”

“HE MADE ME THAT WAY”
LIE #5 “I CAN ASK FOR FORGIVENESS LATER”

LIE #6 “IT’S OK IF MY INTENTIONS ARE GOOD”

LIE #7 “SURE GOD IS PLEASED WITH IT.”

LIE #8 “I’M TOO YOUNG”

LIE #9 “I’M TOO OLD” “I’VE DONE MY PART”

LIE #10 “THERE’S NO WAY HE’LL EVER CONVERT.”