[Greek] ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), [Latin] mendacium, [Latin] mentire, [German] lügen: to lie, to misinform, to be false; Mt.5:11, Acts 5:3-4, Rom.9:1, 2Cor.11:31, Gal.1:20, Col.3:9, 1Tim.2:7, Heb.6:18, Jas.3:14, 1Jn.6
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to lie, to deceive, to speak falsely, to error, to say what is false, and to play. Lying takes on both a subjective and objective sense involving non-being, error, and a false judgment of reality. Perjury is the worst lie. Lying is an assault on one’s honor and dignity. The aristocratic order demand that one should not deceive those to whom one owes respect.
Societal norms for deception: Lying for social or political reasons are permissible (friendship or the state) when some aim or need is required. The intellectually superior are granted greater leeway for deception. Deception is allowed in art. Historians often contrast the truth of their accounts with the poets’ fictions. The Sophists, paid philosophers who reason with clever but fallacious arguments, justify purposeful lying theoretically.
Sophocles’ Antigone 389: “There is nothing that a man rightly swears he will not do. For a second thought belies one’s first intent.”
Xenophon’s Memorabilia 4.2.19: “Consider deception practiced on friends to their detriment. Which is the more unjust deception, the intentional or unintentional?”
Hesiod’s Works and Days 283: “But whoever deliberately lies in his witness and forswears himself, that man’s generation is left obscure forever.”
Plato’s Laws 5.730c: “But untrustworthy is the man who loves the voluntary lie; and senseless is the man who loves the involuntary lie. As time goes on, he is found out.”
Hesiod’s Theogony 27: “We know how to speak many false things as though they were true, but we know, when we will utter true things.”
Old Testament: This term means to lie, to deceive, to bear false witness, to be unfaithful, to spread false prophecy, to worship idols, and to be apostate. Yahweh is the protector of right and truth. Perjury is the worst offense against God, of whom the lie is in His name. That person then becomes cursed. Lying is not just a negative thing but an active attitude. According to wisdom, lying is folly. In extreme situations, lies of necessity are permitted to spare one’s life.
Walking with God: The imagery of walking is quite often associated with a code of conduct and adherence to rules (laws). This essentially means walking on the right path (with God).
New Testament: This term means to utter false statements, to lie, and to be false. Jesus offers encouraging words for those who have received insults and slanders because of Him. Their reward will be great in heaven. Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit in retaining part of the piece of land. Paul does not lie about speaking truth in Christ, his weaknesses, Christ’s mission, God’s oath, and his mission. James states we must not be false to the truth of Christ. John states that when we walk in darkness, we do not act in truth.
Scripture:
“Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of Me.” Mt.5:11
Jesus is very much aware that some will face slander and insults because of Him. Their efforts will be rewarded in heaven.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.” Jas.3:14
One needs to know the difference between being wise and pretending to be wise. True wisdom comes from up above.
“If we say, ‘We have fellowship with Him,’ while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.” 1Jn.6
To walk in darkness means to live and act in sin, error, and depravity.
Etymology: The Latin noun mendacium means lie, untruth, and falsehood. Mendacity is the tendency or disposition to lie (habitual lying). Demented means out of one’s mind. Dementia is a mental incapacity. The German verb lügen means to lie. The German noun lüge means lie or untruth. A luge is small ice sled seen in the Winter Olympics, where the sled is ridden by the riders lying down on their backs. Yet the German word for sled is schlitten.
Conclusion:
Mendacity, mendacious, demented, dementia, pseudo-[fill in the blank]
I’m not going to lie to you. I wasn’t sure how this post was going to look like. How much can one say about lying? Evidently, more than I realized.
These Greek quotes succinctly refer to the timeless practice and behavior of lying. Politicians and the media come into mind. It seems we also have our modern-day sophists (political “wise-guys”).
I was really surprised how much the Old Testament speaks about lying. One’s “walk” with God is essentially one’s relationship with Him.
Those who have been insulted or slandered because of Jesus’ sake are also in good company with the prophets. Lying to the Holy Spirit is the one and only unforgiveable sin, resulting in death. If we don’t know the difference between our subjective reality and God’s objective reality, we are lying to ourselves. Oftentimes, when we are acting hypocritically, we are also lying to ourselves.
Lüge (sled) and lugen: It is interesting to note that these words seem to be indirectly linked. The connection lies in the lying down. (I am not lying). ☺
Update: The 51 intelligence agents saying that Hunter’s lap top is Russian “disinformation” are now in a moral dilemma. To say otherwise will show that they were lying and/or politically motivated. (No wonder many are currently remaining silent.)
The mainstream media and other social media platforms dismissed Hunter’s lap as Russian “misinformation” for political purposes.
Special prosecutor John Durham’s investigation is currently uncovering the lies and deception of the Trump’s Russian collusion hoax. Clinton staffers are now pleading the 5th! (Many felt lying was justified in order to prevent President Trump for being elected.)
One must admit that the mainstream media and social media platforms do a remarkable job “speaking many false things as though they were true”.
On the other hand, Russia and Putin do a terrible job in their propaganda efforts. (No one believes them!)
I’m not going to lie to you in saying that things are going to get interesting in what we will further learn, understand, and come to realize more about Twitter/Elon Musk, Hunter’s laptop, political partisans, Durham investigation, etc. These investigations will be quite an educational experience for those students of political science.
Next post: learning, understanding, and realizing