When is lying sinful?

[sjk3389k]

Recently, I have told some lies that I am unsure of. As an example, I went to my room early to pray, and on my way up, my mother asked me why I was going to bed early, and without thinking I affirmed that I was tired. Later that week, I was doing mental prayer where I usually study, and my mom walked in, and I answered yea when she asked if I was working hard. I wouldn’t say that this time it was without thinking, but I’m not sure.

 

[JerryZ]

First we need to clarify what a lie is because there are nuances,
Why didn’t you tell your mom that you were going to pray? It seems in both instances you mentioned you avoided telling your mom this truth.
You offered an alternative possible explanation in both instances, not really a lie.
To lie is to deprive someone of the truth that he/she is due to them.
Also needs to be done (liying) with full knowledge and consent of the will.
Hope this helps.

 

[edward_george1]

@camoderator

Scrupulosity

 

[BornInMarch]

Little white lies are venial sins at best, I’d say. When people ask “How was your day?” and you answer “Fine” when you’re really having an awful day, that’s technically a lie - you won’t go to Hell over that. If you’re lying to save a person’s life (the classic example people who hid Jews in their homes during WWII and lied to Nazi inspectors) then it’s not a sin at all.

Lies can be mortal sins if they’re intended to hurt others though. An example of this is perjury, or lying in court to cause an innocent man to be wrongfully convicted.

 

[Rasoleil]

I don’t know about most people, and this is a classic, but true nonetheless, if a woman tries on a dress as asks: “Does this dress make me look fat?” How would you answer? I’m no fool, and I don’t have to explain how’d I’d answer. I’d chose sin.