What do you think about manipulation or so called sales "techniques" that are used in the sales industry in order to get sales?
Example:
Used to work at this company and we sold some kitchen appliance for 5grand.We would though,add a grand to the price of the machine making the price 6grand.We would then use the 1grand we added as leverage in case the customer declined to buy.For instance:
Customer:"Sorry I don't have money,I'll comeback next month."
Salesman:"oh sir,if you comeback next month the price will have increased"(lying)
Customer:"Really?I'm still not too sure hey."
Salesman:"Tell you what sir.If you buy it today,I'll take 5hundred off the price,so that you don't loose out.You'll get the machine for 5500."(lying)
At this point the customer shows a bit of interest mixed with doubt and the salesman spots it.
Salesman:"Tell you what sir,this would be a great present for your wife.Cumon!
Customer:"nah my friend,tempting,but I'll comeback next month when I have money.
Now the salesman goes for the kill,coz he knows from his experience that the customer will never comeback.
Salesman:"alright you know what?I'll take off my commission off this machine and will give it to you for 5grand,and i won't get paid for it.If I don't sell this machine I'll loose my job(lying)."
Customer:"So you are taking 1grand off the machine?"
Salesman:"Yes sir."
Customer:"Alright I'll take it then."
There's no 1grand that I take off the machine.We sell it for 5grand anyway.Like I said,we use the 1grand as leverage in case the customer is a difficult one.If the customer says he will buy one even at 6grand,eventually we end up taking a grand off and come up with all sorts of stuff like "you the 10th customer 2day,so instead of 6grand,you'll get it for 5grand."So actually,there is no 1grand that we take off.
So what do you think about all these so called sales techniques as a follower of Christ?
Well carnal minded individuals know that lying is wrong. Its even one of the ten commandments. Our righteousness is to exceed that of the Pharisees who kept the ten commandments outwardly without blame if we want to enter the kingdom. With the spirit of Christ we go beyond not just lying to our neighbor and we love them as ourselves.
Exodus 20:16 (KJV) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Matthew 22:36-40
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Here is where all liars end up.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
God bless,
Alex