Why People Lie
Good Morning,
While I was growing up, lying was about the worst thing we could do (at least among the things we might consider doing). My parents looked upon a lie in the absolute worst perspective.
I understand that we all lie in some way and try to appear better than we are (or less than we are). Some young men will strut around other young men trying to be bigger or tougher than they really are. These deeds are a form of lying. When I see an intentional statement of deceit, that person is immediately marked “off my list.” I will not listen to them or trust anything they say. When it became apparent that the COVID statistics were clearly twisted, I was done listening to the WHO and US health organizations.
In recent years, we have heard the most blatant lies told by the “alphabet organizations” across America. Consequently, I will not trust them in any area. I will not listen to them, read their material, or give the slightest credibility to their words.
Why is it that people lie? What is the motive to move people to act in a manner that would cause their very words not to be trusted?
In the story of the resurrection, we can see a few reasons why people lie.
Matthew 28:15 “So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."
These men had seen the angel; the body was gone, and they KNEW Jesus arose from the dead supernaturally – but they lied about it FOR MONEY.
I believe they also lied for fear of their jobs. Such was the case of the lying prophets in the days of Ahab. These “rent-a-reverends” were secure in their positions, and would say anything if it allowed them to keep their jobs. Jeremiah and many others were abused in all manner of ways because they were willing to tell the truth to the king and NOT lie.
The same is probably true of Ananias and Sapphira.
Acts 5:3 “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”
They lied for money! What a pitiful reason to literally ruin your good name, for a lousy dollar (although it is not uncommon)!
In the story of Naboth, men lied about Naboth and brought about his death.
1 Kings 21:9 “And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:”
vs. 10 “And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.”
These men lied out of fear of the authority; their lives and families were at great risk. Peter lied about knowing Jesus, and it was probably for fear of his life.
For people to lie for money or out of fear is not uncommon.
Perhaps the worst reason people lie is to hurt others. Such was the case of Satan in the garden. He lied to Eve, for no other reason than to hurt Adam, Eve, and God. Most likely, the kind of lying we see in Washington (when people lie to keep someone from office or to influence an election) is satanic. Lying to keep someone off the Supreme Court has been common in recent years; the motive for the lie may be personal gain, but it is still rooted in hurting another. Most of us have lied out of fear, but it is still not right and it still does harm. To lie with the intent to harm is, without excuse, a satanic evil.
As for me, I can have patience with someone who lies for fear of loss or suffering. I can be kind and even friendly towards them, but I will be slow in EVER trusting their word again. We are selfish; and many people will lie in order to save lives or jobs. Lying with the intent to harm, is a kind of satanic behavior that places people in a vastly different category.
The deceit we see in Congress or in various courtrooms is the kind of lying that is intended to harm; I cannot tolerate being in the same room with such people. They cannot be trusted in anything. With motives so selfish and guided by satanic evil, they ought to be classed among the lowest forms of humanity.
God classes a false witness among the top offenses listed in the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Pastor