Copyright (2) 2024 by Bob Siegel

On a first glance, that title above must look bizarre. Any of us, if asked whether or not lying is wrong, would be quick to say yes. But is it possible that we are responding to a general rule without thinking of notable  exceptions?

Recently, in one of my Bible classes, the subject of deception came up, specifically, people interacting with an organization while misrepresenting themselves. In some cases, the purpose is  to obtain information. This has happened in the news recently with organizations like Planned Parenthood, whose publicity talking points claim to be about choice when in reality they try to talk visiting women INTO having abortions. And, of course, we’ve seen espionage for years from World War Two, to  the cold war, to present day, sending agents into other countries under a false identity. Technically, such agents are lying.

Those who follow my teaching on the radio or in classes often hear me say that we’re not under the Law anymore. Instead, God calls us in His New Covenant to make the most loving, unselfish decision possible given the unique dynamics of a situation. Well, how does that idea work when it smacks head into passages such as “God hates a lying tongue” (Proverbs) 6:16-19)? And, of course, one of the Ten Commandments says “You will not bear false witness” (Exodus 20).

My friends, God looks at our motive!  

Now, the commandment about bearing false witness is specifically talking about a deceitful individual going into a courtroom and openly accusing an innocent person of something they did not do. This is not a blanket statement to never lie at all, but rather a very specific kind of lie. Naturally, such an action is always wrong. It could never be justified.

As for the Proverb saying God hates a lying tongue, that is more open-ended and can apply to different kinds of lying. We conclude that lying is wrong as a general rule, but yes, I am saying general rule.

In some of those earlier cases I mentioned about gathering information from a corrupt organization or participating in the protection of our country from enemy attack, we are seeing examples of a lie being warranted.

Actually, even everyday ordinary people practice such exceptions quite frequently. There’s a popular phrase called “white lie,” where the purpose is to spare someone’s feelings. For example, one woman says to another woman, “What do you think of my new blouse?” or “What do you think of my new dress?” It might be the most hideous thing you’ve ever seen in your life. Are you going to say that?

Are you going to say, “Well, as a Christian I cannot lie. I don’t know what you paid for that outfit, but you have to believe me; it was too much!”

How about a more serious example? Supposing a social worker dealing with foster children is asked by a little child, “Do my parents hate me?”

Face it! There are a lot of corrupt people out there! The world is filled with emotionally damaged adults, and some of them may in-fact hate their children! But are you going to say that to the child? Of course not! Telling them their parents love them may be a white lie, but it’s appropriately merciful.

Yes, there are times when lying is called for. We even read this in the Bible. Early in the book of Joshua when the two Israelites were spying out Jericho in anticipation of an attack, they stopped at the home of a prostitute named Rahab. She hid them and word got  out. Eventually two officials from Jericho visited Rahab asking for the location of the Israelites. She said, “They were here, but they left and I don’t know where they went” (Joshua 2).

She lied, and her name is found in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Fame for lying because in her case the motive was protection! That was the right thing to do. The people she lied to represented an evil threat.

Does God hate a lying tongue? Yes, as a general rule. But there are exceptions. Once again, we are no longer under the Law. We do not have New Testament law to replace Old Testament law. Instead, we have a relationship with the Spirit of God to replace Old Testament law. Under His guidance, we make decisions that are best for the situation in the moment. And even in Old Testament times, exceptions were found!

Hopefully, this clarification makes the title above less ominous.

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