Bible Question (short): a lie is a lie is a lie... |
Question (full): A while ago I would have agreed with you one hundred percent that a lie is a lie is a lie, and it's sin. But I believe that when truth will do someone harm it is best to be silent on the subject. I'll explain why. Norrie had a point when she said that the the 9th commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor" is predominantly what God means when He speaks of "hating a liar". (See Ex. 23:1-2) And Jesus again states "Thou shalt not bear false witness". Paul also states it in Romans. God does not want us hurting one another. Both the Hebrew and the Greek words that are used in those verses mean something deceitful, or offering falsehood which harms another person, or an untruth (without cause), and these same words are translated in other areas of the bible as "lying" "liar" etc. [These [sheqer,shaqar, pseudomartureo]words and their base words are the most common words translated lie, etc.] The verse that says God doesn't lie uses a different word meaning to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood. The verse that says God hates a liar uses the word meaning falsifier. All seem to imply that there is intent to do harm by speaking false words. So it would seem that any words that cause harm to another would be "false witness" and therefore sin. Perhaps that is why Abraham was not "punished" for lying, and Sarah too. It was not done to cause harm to anyone else. And in that same sense it would not be wrong to protect the Jews or your children from evil men using such words. You said: Abraham's lie Abimelech is not either. Look at the consequences of his lie (vv 17-18). I'm not sure what you mean in that first sentence, but the consequences of Abraham's lie did NOT fall on HIS shoulders. He was not held accoutable to pay for the lie. Abimelech on the other hand was held accountable for believing Abraham and Sarah's lie though. But I think this has more to do with the ultimate will of God than Abimelech's "wrongdoing". |