| April 9
Don't Lie
We all know the difference
between telling the truth and lying. This
commandment as it is written has to do with how
we speak of other people. When we are
called to give testimony in court, we are sworn
to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth. This is the most applicable
way to treat this commandment.
In the devotion
Do Not Murder it is
discussed how our words can kill people.
This can be done through lying and obviously
should not happen.
How do we treat "little
white lies"? We are called to speak the
truth but in love. This means that we
shouldn't lie when our spouse asks if something
makes them look fat. But neither should we
say "It's not the outfit that makes you look
fat, it's your waistline." This may be the
truth but obviously shouldn't be said to protect
someone's feelings.
Perception is important
when speaking. A truth can be misperceived
and a lie can be perceived as correct. The
statement "liars go to hell" is correct but the
audience must be considered. Do the
hearers know that you mean liars who haven't
been forgiven of their sins or will they
mistakenly think that they are doomed because
they have told a lie in their lifetime?
Or we can speak a
technical truth with the intention to mislead.
"I wasn't at the park" may be true if referring
to this morning but if the conversation is about
yesterday it is misleading. What is unsaid
can be as much of a lie as what is said. |
