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NASB | Exodus 20:16 ¶ "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Exodus 20:16 ¶ "You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person). [Ex 23:1; Prov 19:9; 24:28] |
Subject: Is it always a sin to lie? |
Bible Note: Romans 8:28(NIV)And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Just because we would do it and expect others to do it, does not make it right in God’s eyes. How can God condone or reward something that He hates. Isn’t that going against His very nature? It wasn’t the midwives lies or actions that secured the “greater good” making it right. It was almighty God. WOS Question: "Is it ever right to lie?" Answer: It is never right to lie. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Proverbs 6:16-18 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness that speaketh lies” as two of the seven abominations to the Lord. Love “rejoiceth in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). See also Psalm 119:29, 163; 120:2; Proverbs 12:22; 13:5; Ephesians 4:25; and Colossians 3:9. There are many examples of liars in Scripture, from Jacob’s deceit in Genesis 27 to the pretense of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Time after time, we see that falsehood leads to misery, loss, and judgment. Sometimes a question arises concerning lies that seem to have positive results. For example, the lie the Hebrew midwives tell Pharaoh seems to result in the Lord’s blessing (Exodus 1:15-21). However, it should be obvious that the Lord is blessing the midwives’ rescue of the children, rather than any falsehood they told. God in His mercy blessed them in spite of the lie, rather than because of it. Another example is Rahab’s lie in Joshua 2:5. God never condones her lie, but He does forgive it. Rahab’s life is spared in response to her faith, which she expresses in verses 9-11. God not only forgives Rahab’s lying, but also her idolatry and harlotry—another example of God’s mercy in action. Copyright 2002-2005 Got Questions Ministries. All Rights Reserved.www.gotquestions.org - Is it ever right to lie? |