The Truth about Lying

Introduction

Do you swear to tell the truth, the Truth and Nothing but the Truth? This question is being directed to people when they go to testify in a trial in the United States. It is expected that when someone issues a statement under oath that what they say will be true because otherwise they would commit a crime with consequences. In fact, one of the phrases of a character of one of my favorite shows on television, Dr. House, aptly sums up this sad reality, "everybody lies" (everyone lies) (Rosa et al, 75).

Lying or giving false testimony against the others is breaking God's commandment more frequently (Exodus 20:16). Sometimes people lie without realizing the impact it could have on the other. For example, pronounce phrases like "if I can go" or "I will do everything possible to go" when you know in advance that will not go, "See you at such a time" and its late or fails outright; "when they go" or "I do right now" and never met, "you look great," "I love" or "I'm glad to see you" but they do not mean it sincerely. Unfortunately also the parents teach their children to lie when someone knocks on the door or calls on the phone, by having them say they are not available.

Lying is so common that the same psalmist lamented about this situation and cried out for divine assistance: "Save, O Lord, because the godly: for the faithful fail from among the children of men. Speak vanity every one with his neighbor, speak with flattering lips and double heart "(Psalm 12:1-2) (Buscemi & Smith, 59).

Why are the lies and deceit so common? Lying is a central human sin and the Bible records the daily life of this bad habit. Moreover, the ...