Liar! Liar! Pants are on fire!

Remember that childhood ditty? It came to mind today when for the 3rd time in the past four weeks an acquaintance showed themselves to be a liar. Of all the human traits that I dislike, the act of lying is at the top of the list. If I catch someone in a lie, it can cause a friendship to go south faster than a speeding bullet.

I'm aware that at one time or another, everyone lies—I've done it myself; but why do we lie? Do we really believe that it's better to tell a “little white lie” as tell the truth? Can we not find a tactful and kind way to tell a friend the truth? Would it not hurt their feelings even more to know we LIED to them? I think it would.

Perhaps our self-esteem so low that we need to make ourself look like a bigger or better person in someone else's eyes. Do we really think that someone will find us more attractive and want us as a friend if we lie? Or do we lie simply because we see it as a challenge—and challenges are exciting?

I'm no angel—I've lied. As a teenager I lied to my parents for the same reason y'all lied to your parents. LOL! I've told those “little white lies” as well. However, I gave up lying when I grew up enough to realize that I always got caught and lying served no good purpose. Besides the older you get, the harder it is to remember your lies and keep your stories straight! Heh!

When someone who is smart lies to me and contradicts a previous statement they made to me, it makes me wonder. Do they really think I'm that dumb? Is it possible they really don't remember what they've said to me? Are they counting on my good graces to not call them on the lie?

Somehow I don't think so. I think most lies are done to either make oneself look “better” to the other person, or to manipulate the person to whom you are lying.

Two of the recent lies revolved around money. The first person simply wanted to do things their way, and when I refused they sent me an email that was designed to bait me. I'm sure if I had not been careful with my answer, the next thing I would have heard was discrimination.

The other financial dealing I don't understand. Perhaps this person just needed more time to come up with the funds. If so, all they had to do was tell me. Instead, they have told me lie after lie about the check being in the mail. I have lost a great deal of respect for this person. I do know I won't be doing any future sales with either of these people.

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”—Proverbs 16-19

But my long time friend—this one hurt. I had suspected that my friend was lying about this particular subject, but having it confirmed wounded me inside and made me angry. I suspect this friend has lied in order to make themselves look “better” to me. It hasn't. It has only made me look at them in a different light—one that is not very flattering or favorable. I'm not sure yet how I'll deal with it—but I will deal with it.

Like I said, if I catch someone in a lie, it can cause a friendship to go south faster than a speeding bullet.