Why Be TRUTHFUL? - What Is a Lie?

What Is a Lie?

Every lie is an untruth, but not every untruth is a lie.  Why not?  A dictionary defines a lie as "an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive."  Yes, lying includes the intention to deceive someone. Hence, to speak an untruth unwittingly-such as giving someone incorrect facts or figures by mistake-is not the same as to tell a lie. 

Every lie is an untruth, but not every untruth is a lie

Moreover, we need to consider whether the person asking for information is entitled to a comprehensive answer.  For instance, suppose Manfred had been asked the same questions  by an executive of another company.  Would Manfred have been obliged to tell him everything?  Not really.  Since that executive had no right to such information, Manfred would have had no obligation to provide it.  Of course, even in this case, it would have been wrong for hm to tell a lie.

What example did Jesus Christ set in this regard?  On one occasion, Jesus was conversing with some unbelievers who showed interest in his travel plans.  "Pass on over from here and go into Judea,"  they advise him.  What was Jesus' reply?  "You go up to the festival [in Jerusalem]; I am not going up to this festival, because my due time has not yet fully come."   Shortly thereafter, Jesus did travel to Jerusalem for the festival.  Whey did he answer that way?  They were not entitled  to know the exact details of his whereabouts.  So while Jesus did not utter and untruth, he gave them an incomplete answer in order to limit the possible harm they could do to him or to his followers.  This was not a lie, for the apostle Peter wrote about Christ:  "He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth." -John 7:1-13; 1 Peter 2:22.

What about Peter himself?  On the night of Jesus' arrest, did not Peter lie three times and deny knowing Jesus? Yes, Peter caved in to fear of man and lied.  But he immediately  "wept bitterly" and repented, and his sin was forgiven.  Moreover, he learned from his mistake.  Some days later, he spoke in public about Jesus and resolutely refused to stop when threatened by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem.  Surely Peter's temporary setback and quick recovery should be an encouragement to all of us, who can easily be over whelmed in a moment of weakness and stumble in word or deed. -Matthew 26:69-75; Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-32; James 3:2.

Next time: Why Be TRUTHFUL? - Truth Will Be Established Forever

The Watchtower, 2007