Feeling guilty over small things

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I was at a book store a while ago and I was told there was a Buy Two, Get Third Free deal. I told the cashier I only had enough money for one book even though I actually did have enough to buy another if I chose carefully. For some reason, I feel guilty since what I said wasn’t technically true. I have the rest of the money in my wallet saved for some other things but I felt like what I told the cashier was a lie. Even though I no longer practice Christianity, I still have the old messages that were put into my head in my developmental years and the sin of lying is one of them even though I told her what was on my mind so I wasn’t being deceptive. Am I overreacting?

I would say yes -- because this is something I can relate and I can say it to myself it's ridiculous.

But no -- because I cannot assume if I actually did was right or wrong be it the initial intent, process/means, or the outcome.
Heck, because I even get guilty for doing good let alone doing anything wrong.


You know what?
Screw guilty conscience that had gone too far, did nothing but screw my psyche and hold me back than urge to do things right.
Guilty conscience doesn't make the value of ethic, compassion, morality or virtue. Guilt is a very outdated and mostly a useless if not an obstructing emotion.

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Did you get the two books for free?

If so, you got the free books under false pretenses. Not a cardinal sin, really. But not the greatest thing, either. Not worth beating yourself up over this. It’s not like you really hurt anybody.

If you got one book for free, no big deal, really.

If you didn’t get any books for free, then it’s not even worth a second thought.

I can understand the desire to leave Christianity. Institutional Christianity (systematized) has much to be held against it.

It may be possible you are still a Christian. There are two bible verses that bear on the subject of truth.

Joh 18:37b Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Greek philosophers argued about the nature and meaning of truth. That it bothers you to lie (even in a small matter) may be an indication that you may still be “of the truth”.

Here is a link to a web site describing Christianity without many of the encumbrances of traditional Christian practice.

http://christianpioneer.com

I am not suggesting you should be a Christian only that you may still be one as a possible explanation of your disinclination to lie.

Guilt is not always bad. It can be useful to identify who needs to participate in the correction of a problem, learn to correct future behavior, or resolve damaged relationships. However, once all that is useful is extracted from guilt, it can be beneficial to leave it behind.

Well I don't know about the sin stuff, but telling small white lies are accepted by society as long as one doesn't get caught by the ones who were lied to, so even in society's eyes it'd be no big deal. Besides, was it really a lie if there was already a chosen purpose for the money? You had the money, but you couldn't afford to use it.

And from what I understood, you didn't actually get anything like a free book, so it's all good. No one was hurt and no one lost or gained anything financially.

I have a pretty powerful guilt streak myself.

The first example that pops into my mind is that, when I was in first grade, I thought I wasn't supposed to get onto the bus one day (something to do with a letter to the office) but I misunderstood. My teacher ended up having to stay with me when she would have gotten off work for the day. She didn't really say anything but I knew she was upset. It was my first comprehension of a teacher (maybe even adults in general) having a life outside of in relation to when I see them at work. I felt bad for taking that time from her. I felt guilt over it for years. Probably misplaced guilt but built nonetheless.

Usually, I just remember how it felt and take the lessons from it that I can so that I don't have to feel it again. I can't change my past, but I can learn from it.

I don't think you lied at all. At most, I'd say you might have stretched the truth. Think of it as
said: "I only have the money for one book."
thought: "...because the rest is earmarked for X purpose after this (which was pre-planned and more important than this deal)."

This is one of those situations where it's much easier to have a default thing to say than it is to come up with something on the spot.

Declining:
"That's good to know, but I'm ok with this for now." OR
"Not today. I'm good as-is." OR
"Thanks, but no thanks."
WHILE <glancing/gesturing towards stuff being bought>

Accepting:
"That's good to know. How do I go about doing that?" OR
"Ok, that sounds good!" OR
"Thanks, I'd like to do that."
WHILE <lightly nodding>

I have that guilt sensitivity thing to sometimes. I suspect that it bothers you more than it bothers anyone else.