So, lying is a sin right...?

Question

So hypothetically, what if an acquaintance of mine gets a really bad haircut and asks me what I think of it? If I choose to be honest, I'll hurt their feelings. But if I choose to make them feel better about it...then HYPOTHETICALLY, I'm breaking one of the Ten Commandments, right? ;-)

Answer 1

Maybe the 11th commandment should "thou shall not get a bad hair cut".

Answer 2

There are ways to say it without offending.

In the book The Importance of Lying, H. L. Mencken is quoted as giving this reason why some resort to the lie: “What ails the truth is that it is mainly uncomfortable, and often dull. The human mind seeks something more amusing and caressing.” Not surprisingly, then, people often do not really want to hear the truth, preferring instead “to have their ears tickled.” (2 Timothy 4:3) The greatest teacher who ever lived, Jesus Christ, found this to be true. “If I speak truth,” he said to the people of his day, “why is it you do not believe me?” (John 8:46) How tempting it is at times to tell pleasing lies instead of unpopular truths!

But does the fact that a lie may be attractive or over a trivial matter or even well meant mean that it is right? NO!

Yes, “a false tongue” was and is one of the things that “Jehovah does hate.” (Proverbs 6:16, 17) After all, it is Satan the Devil himself who is “the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) Interestingly, though, the Bible makes no distinction between lies and ‘white lies.’ It simply says, “No lie originates with the truth.” (1 John 2:21) That is why a “devious person is a detestable thing to Jehovah, but His intimacy is with the upright ones.” (Proverbs 3:32) Yes, Jehovah simply will not have a close relationship with someone who is dishonest.
The God-fearing Christian thus cannot view any kind of lying as acceptable.

Answer 3

The best way to handle that situation is just say," If you like it that is all that matters. There are many other ways to get out of hurting someones' feelings without lying.

What is more important is that Christians live the life worthy of the Christian calling. Be on time for work and work while at work and be honest on taxes and go the speed limit and drive friendly. These are the things that matter.

Answer 4

If you are TRULY asking this because you are TRULY concerned as to whether Biblically/Spiritually, it is wrong, then please ignore those who have answered and advised you it is OK to lie to protect someones feelings. The Bible is clear. See Romans 6:1-2. Committing a sin so that some good will come out of it is still a sin. God's grace is not to be used to cover up little white lies we are well aware of, but to give us an opportunity to right wrongs n our lives we may not have been aware of as sin. It is not OK. If this person is truly a friend, they trust your judgment and if you can't tactfully tell them their hair cut us awful, that a whole other issue. If they don't ask, you don't have to say anything. If they do ask, you can tell him or her that you liked it better before the new style, or offer suggestions to improve on this cut until it grows out.

Answer 5

There are situations in life where one does not reveal the whole truth because the other person is just not ready for it for various reasons. So you might just say that "it is not the best cut you've had." Then if you get backed into a corner you can maintain your position and you don't feel bad because you lied. The way I look at it is that not one suitcase containing a lie will enter into heaven, so I guess we don't really need any now either.

Answer 6

Right! It is a sin, but if this ever happens to me and i'm put in ur hypothetical situation, I would be like whew! thats a crazy haircut and you're the only person i know who could pull it off! Then laugh and give them a hug! See that's not lieing at all and it's still nice...i've been in this situation a million times and they usually just laugh it off and say yea...i kno...i'm not too crazy about it either! Good luck! :]]

Answer 7

Instead of telling him he had a bad haircut how about simply asking them if they are satisfied with the way it turned out before you go any further. If they say they think it is fine you can support them without directly commenting how bad you think it is. (its about the other person not you) After all it's a haircut---it will grow back. If they state they are really unhappy with it you can still support them by listening to their complaints and being an active listener. How about something like "So your not as satisfied with this haircut as the last one you got, who cut your hair last time?"
Ask yourself this question! Why didn't Jesus Join in and tell the woman caught in adultry "The Truth" about how bad she was?"

Answer 8

I am an Atheist. I do not believe in sin, god, the devil or hell. I do however believe that honesty is the most important virtue. Two things are wrong with lying. If you lose your reputation for being honest what do you have left. Lying can be hurtful. Truth can also be hurtful. I would lye to save someones life or to keep from hurting then uneccessarily. What I really hate is someone who lies even when they do not have to. Once someone lies to me I will never trust them again.

Answer 9

No. There is not a "Thou shalt not lye." Commandment. Lying is not a sin, it's just immoral. Meaning, if you have good morals, you just don't do it. Personally I think there is a nice way to say your not wild about the hair style they have chosen with out saying "Wow! Your haircut Sux!! What were you thinking??"

Answer 10

Actually the commandment in question is:
20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

It's not just lying. It's saying you saw something your neighbor did or didn't do, when you did not.

So while lying is usually a bad thing, it in and of itself is not a sin.

Answer 11

Not necessarily. You can tactfully let your friend know that her haircut is not the best one she has ever had. If you are a real friend then you want your friend to look good so you need to let her know about the haircut. Lying is a form of cowardice.