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NASB | James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 4:17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin. |
Bible Question: On chapter 2, what is a good biblical explanation for Rahab's lie to the kings soldiers? Meaning, does anywhere in the Bible deal with the fact that lies are O.K. if it is for a good cause? |
Bible Answer: The only place in the Bible where a lie is condoned is in 1Kings 22:22-23. The lie Rahab told, although beneficial, was not condoned by God. We must understand that at this particular moment, Rahab had not been introduced to God and therefore, she had no trust in Him. She had however heard of the greatness of God's power and as a result she feared Him and thus the Israelites. Because of this fear, she aligned herself with them by protecting the spies. The only way she knew how to prevent their capture was by lying. If she had a prior relationship in right standing with God, He would have led her in what to do and say when the spies and soldiers had approached her respectively. The lie condoned in 1Kings is a result of God granting us our heart's desire. In this episode, Ahab wanted to believe that he would be triumphant in battle. Because of his hubris, God sent a lying spirit to the prophets whom Ahab trusted. God provided the truth through Micaiah, but Ahab chose to disregard his words because he did not like the prophesies that Micaiah gave. As a result, Ahab was killed in the battle. So, truly, there is no cause good enough to lie. If a believer in Christ lies, s/he is denying God and thus Christ. Travellers on the Way should always put there trust in God in that He will always make a way for us even if the situation seems to call for us to stray or bend. God bless. |